Latest Events in Harry Ransom Center(November Updated)

Join Tracy Bonfitto, Curator of Art at the Ransom Center, and Cristina Meisner, Research Associate, for an engaging in-gallery conversation with Austin artist Kristin Calhoun. This special event takes place at the Harry Ransom Center in Austin, Texas. Calhoun's captivating artwork is featured in the exhibition "Art in Words: Prints from the 20th Century to Today." The discussion will shed light on the fascinating techniques used in printmaking and explore the connections between the thought-provoking text-based works on display. Kristin Calhoun, originally from Stone Mountain, Georgia, has called Austin home for over 20 years. With a diverse educational background in Anthropology, Studio Art-Printmaking, and an MFA in Studio Art-Printmaking, Calhoun brings a unique perspective to her art. Her passion lies in exploring the inherent power of language and its profound impact on our daily lives. By questioning and examining the structures within and around art, she uncovers universal connections that often go unnoticed. Calhoun's dedication to creative problem-solving and continuous growth is evident in her art and teaching practices. She currently teaches Art Appreciation, Design, and Drawing at Austin Community College, where she embraces the challenges and opportunities of fostering critical thinking skills in her students. Don't miss this opportunity to delve into the world of printmaking and discover the thought-provoking artwork of Kristin Calhoun. Mark your calendars for September 21st, and join us at the Harry Ransom Center, located at 300 West 21st Street, Austin, TX 78712. Admission is free, so come and be inspired by the transformative power of art.

Join PEN America President Ayad Akhtar for an engaging and thought-provoking author reading and book signing event at the prestigious Harry Ransom Center in Austin. Ayad Akhtar, a renowned novelist, playwright, and the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, will captivate audiences with a reading from his latest work. Following the reading, there will be a book signing session, giving attendees the chance to meet the esteemed author in person. Don't miss this rare opportunity to engage with Ayad Akhtar and immerse yourself in his literary genius. Ayad Akhtar's work has been published and performed worldwide, making him a truly global literary figure. His novels, including the critically acclaimed "American Dervish," have been translated into over 20 languages, while his plays, such as "Junk" and "Disgraced," have received accolades and recognition on Broadway and beyond. As President of PEN America, Ayad Akhtar is a champion of free expression and an advocate for writers' rights. This event is a must-attend for literature enthusiasts, aspiring writers, and anyone interested in the power of storytelling. Don't miss out on this extraordinary evening of literature and discussion.

Sarah Horowitz will be giving the opening keynote address at the 48th annual conference of the American Printing History Association (APHA) in Austin, Texas. The conference, titled "The Printed Weird: Book History from the Margins," will take place at the Harry Ransom Center on October 12-14, 2023. Horowitz, an accomplished artist and printmaker, will be discussing her artist book, Baba Yaga, and the unconventional printing techniques she employed to bring it to life. She will share her personal journey of creating the book, from initial concept to final result, which took nearly two years to complete. Horowitz's talk will delve into her research on Baba Yaga's stories, her mastery of image-based storytelling, and her unique approach to printing etchings. Attendees of the conference will also have the opportunity to print keepsakes and participate in curator-led tours of the Harry Ransom Center's exhibit, "The Long Lives of Very Old Books." The event promises to be a fascinating exploration of unconventional printing practices and their impact on book history. Don't miss this chance to gain insights from one of the industry's leading artists. Admission to the conference is free, so register now to secure your spot. Stay tuned for more details and updates.

Join the American Printing History Association Conference Closing Keynote featuring Michael B. Winship as he presents "Walt Whitman Makes Weird: Producing the 1855 First Edition of Leaves of Grass." This conference, held at the prestigious Harry Ransom Center in Austin, Texas, on October 14, 2023, will delve into the fascinating story behind the creation of Walt Whitman's groundbreaking collection of poetry. Renowned poet Ralph Waldo Emerson described Leaves of Grass as "the most extraordinary piece of wit and wisdom that America has yet contributed," recognizing its significance at the beginning of Whitman's illustrious career. But it's not just the powerful words that capture attention; the physical book itself stands apart from any other volume of poetry from its time. Through a combination of new and old research, Michael Winship will uncover the unique production process and what makes this book so peculiar. As the Iris Howard Regents Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Texas at Austin, Winship is a leading figure in bibliographic and book history studies, with a particular focus on American literary publishing. In addition to Winship's keynote, conference attendees will have the opportunity to explore the city's vibrant book culture, with tours of the Harry Ransom Center's exhibit, "The Long Lives of Very Old Books," and visits to the Austin Book Arts Center, the Blanton Museum of Art, the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, and the Benson Latin American Collection. Don't miss this chance to immerse yourself in the rich history of American printing and bookmaking. Register for the conference at https://printinghistory.org/2023-conference/.

Join us for A Look at The RRK American Wood Type Collection with David Shields, an in-person event that will take place at the Harry Ransom Center in Austin, Texas on October 17, 2023. Led by David Shields, an Associate Professor of Graphic Design at Virginia Commonwealth University, this event offers a unique opportunity to delve into the fascinating world of the Rob Roy Kelly American Wood Type Collection (The RRK). The RRK is a remarkable collection of American nineteenth-century wood type curated by Rob Roy Kelly, a renowned design educator, collector, and historian. Initially gathered from local printers by Kelly in the late 1950s, the wood type was intended for use by his students at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design. Over the following decade, Kelly continued to expand the collection. In 1966, he sold it to Dr. Bernard Karpel, head librarian of The Museum of Modern Art in New York. Eventually, Dr. Karpel transferred the collection to the Harry Ransom Center (HRC) at The University of Texas at Austin. Today, under the care of the Department of Design in the College of Fine Arts, the RRK is a treasure trove of typographic history. David Shields, who previously served as the Design Custodian for the collection, will provide unparalleled insights into its significance and cultural impact. As attendees explore the collection, they will gain a deeper understanding of the artistry and craftsmanship of wood type printing. Don't miss this opportunity to join David Shields on October 17, 2023, at the Harry Ransom Center in Austin, Texas, for a captivating exploration of The RRK American Wood Type Collection. Admission is free, so reserve your spot and embark on a journey through the rich heritage of American wood type.

Experience a unique opportunity to delve into the world of early photography at the Harry Ransom Center in Austin. Attend a special curator tour of the renowned Hill & Adamson: The Clarkson Stanfield Album led by Jessica S. McDonald, the Nancy Inman and Marlene Nathan Meyerson Curator of Photography. This exceptional exhibition showcases the collaborative work of David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson, who, in 1843, combined their talents to create a remarkable collection of portraits, landscapes, and social records. Delve into their pioneering exploration of photography as an art form and witness the enduring legacy of their partnership. Immerse yourself in masterpieces like "A Newhaven Pilot" and "Oyster Dredging" from the 100 Calotypes album. Join us at the Harry Ransom Center on May 16, 2024, for a profound journey through the visionary world of Hill & Adamson. Best of all, admission is free for all attendees.

Experience an enriching evening with Julia Alvarez, a distinguished novelist and poet, at the Harry Ransom Center in Austin. Engage in a captivating reading and dialogue session with Dr. Laura G. Gutiérrez as they delve into Alvarez's latest literary masterpiece, The Cemetery of Untold Stories. Following the event, guests can enjoy a reception and have the opportunity to purchase signed copies of Alvarez's works. This exclusive occasion will also be live-streamed for wider accessibility. Julia Alvarez, born in New York City in 1950, has a remarkable background that influences her compelling storytelling. Having received prestigious awards such as the Pura Belpré and Américas Awards, Hispanic Heritage Award, and the F. Scott Fitzgerald Award, Alvarez is a highly acclaimed author with a diverse range of literary works. From novels like "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" to collections of poems and nonfiction pieces, Alvarez's creativity knows no bounds. Join us on May 21, 2024, at the Harry Ransom Center for this exceptional event. Admission is free, so mark your calendars for an unforgettable evening.

We welcome you to a unique panel discussion of Gabriel García Márquez’s En agosto nos vemos (Until August), with its editor Cristóbal Pera and García Marquez’s sons Rodrigo García and Gonzalo García Barcha. Moderated by Dr. Gabriela Polit. En agosto nos vemos (Until August), was Gabriel García Márquez's last work, left incomplete at the time of his death in 2014. Pera pieced together the finalized novel by accessing his Márquez's archive, located at the Harry Ransom Center. The novel centers on the life of Ana Magdalena Bach, a woman in her fifties who visits her mother’s grave on a remote Caribbean island every August. During these annual visits, she engages in a series of love affairs with different men, which brings out themes of love, memory, and the passage of time. Reception and book sale of Until August (2024) to follow. For more on our Gabriel García Márquez collection visit here. Please have your reservation confirmation ready upon entering. A reservation does not guarantee a seat. Line forms upon arrival of the first patron, and doors open 30 minutes in advance. Doors to our theater will open approximately 30 minutes before the event begins. No food or beverages are allowed inside our theater or gallery space. Information Source: Harry Ransom Center | eventbrite

Carl and Lily Pforzheimer Foundation Lecture: Dr. David S. Kastan: Print, Plaint, and Painting in Shakespeare's Lucrece In London in the spring of 1594, a long narrative poem by Shakespeare was published and advertised for sale at John Harrison’s shop in the churchyard of Saint Paul’s. The title page simply called it Lucrece. Now the poem is usually known as The Rape of Lucrece, though it was only in the sixth edition of 1616—the year of Shakespeare's death—that this became the poem’s title. Kastan's lecture will suggest that attending to the difference in title helps us see what is at stake in poem itself, which was one of Shakespeare's most popular works among early readers. Reception to flow. About David S. Kastan Dr. David Scott Kastan is the George M. Bodman Emeritus Professor of English at Yale University, having previously taught at Columbia University and at Dartmouth College. Among his books are Shakespeare and the Shapes of Time, Shakespeare after Theory, Shakespeare and the Book, and A Will to Believe: Shakespeare and Religion. He serves as a general editor of the Arden Shakespeare (third series), was the co-editor of the Bantam Shakespeare, and the series editor of the Barnes and Noble Shakespeare. His most recent book was On Color, written with the painter Stephen Farthing, and published in 2018, and he is now working on a book on Shakespeare and Rembrandt for Yale University Press. Please have your reservation confirmation ready upon entering. A reservation does not guarantee a seat. Line forms upon arrival of the first patron, and doors open 30 minutes in advance. Doors to our theater will open approximately 30 minutes before the event begins. No food or beverages are allowed inside our theater or gallery space. Information Source: Harry Ransom Center | eventbrite