Houston, TX - Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (HCCC) is pleased to announce that six new members have joined their board of directors. The team has eagerly welcomed Isabelle Asakura, Porshae’ Brown, Mona Elamin, Mariela Poleo, Priya Ramkisson, and Bob Schwartz.
 
Isabelle Asakura is an associate principal at Asakura Robinson Landscape Design with a multi-disciplinary practice, including planning and urban ecology. She brings a passion for craft and professional experience in interdisciplinary design, public engagement, and marketing to the organization, and is particularly interested in expanding the visibility of its Craft Garden.
 
Houston realtor Porshae’ Brown develops genuine connections with her clients through transparency and open communication. With a degree in media strategies and wide-ranging experience in business, advertising, and hospitality, she looks forward to supporting fundraising, corporate outreach, and programming initiatives at HCCC.
 
Sudanese architectural designer Mona Elamin, who holds a masters in architecture from Rice University, works in Gensler’s Houston office and has served on HCCC’s DEAI Committee. With a global education and professional experience spanning Dubai and beyond, she brings an international perspective and a passion for local community engagement to HCCC.
 
Mariela Poleo is an architect and international energy executive with experience in major capital projects, finance, and joint ventures. She currently leads Citgo Petroleum Corporation’s nonprofit foundation, Simon Bolivar Foundation, and brings a wealth of experience in finance, management, and nonprofit leadership.
 
As the founder and director of Imiloa Collective, Mauritian native Priya Ramkisson helps build and enrich the skillsets of creatives through social creative enterprise. She is excited to bring her experience in management, fundraising, and marketing, as well as enthusiasm for community empowerment, to the team at HCCC.
 
Retired energy executive and award-winning photographer Bob Schwartz is a past board member at HCCC. He rejoins the board this year to bring years of experience in strategic planning, management, entrepreneurship, and finance to the Center.
 
This dynamic group will join existing board members and staff to begin a strategic planning process emphasizing an expansion of the organization’s local and national presence, enhanced educational offerings, and further advancement of the Center’s highly regarded artist residency program. Judy Nyquist, Board President, commented, “We are delighted to have this energetic group of enthusiasts join our board of directors. Each of these individuals brings their own unique experience and energy to the work of the Center and will help us reach our full potential in the years to come.”
 
HCCC kicks off a packed season of exhibitions and events this fall, beginning with the opening reception for two new shows, Max Adrian: RIPSTOP and Tree of Life, on Friday, September 29, from 5:30 – 7:30 PM.  
 
HCCC Board of Directors FY23-24

Judy Nyquist
President
Sara S. Morgan
Founding President
Dori Boone
Vice President
Joanna Wortham
Secretary
Robert Greenstein
Treasurer
Leila Cartier
Executive Director
Isabelle Asakura
Laura Babka
Nana Booker
Porshae’ Brown
Brad Bucher
Mona Elamin
Edward Lane McCartney
Mariela Poleo
Priya Ramkisson
Bob Schwartz­
Robert Tai
Tracye Wear

About Houston Center for Contemporary Craft

Serving as a treasured resource in the Houston arts community for more than 20 years, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (HCCC) is a nonprofit visual arts center dedicated to advancing education about the process, product, and history of craft. HCCC showcases emerging and acclaimed artists in exhibitions, introduces visitors of all ages to contemporary craft through hands-on and virtual programming, and supports the development of working artists through its artist residency program.
 
HCCC is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM. Holiday hours for 2023: HCCC will be closed to the public November 23 – 27 for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend and December 24 – January 2 for winter holidays. HCCC is also closed on Easter, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4th, and Labor Day.
 
Admission is free. HCCC is located in the Museum District at 4848 Main Street, three blocks south of the Wheeler Ave. MetroRail station. Free parking is available directly behind the facility, off Rosedale and Travis Street.
 
HCCC is supported by individual donors and members and funded in part by The Brown Foundation; Houston Endowment, Inc.; the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance; Texas Commission on the Arts; the National Endowment for the Arts, the Kinder Foundation; the Morgan Foundation; Windgate Charitable Foundation; and the Wortham Foundation. HCCC is a member of the Houston Museum District and the Midtown Arts District.
 
For more information, call 713-529-4848 or visit www.crafthouston.org. Find HCCC on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @CraftHouston.