Anyone who knows Jim Hackney, Managing Partner at Alexander Haas, knows of his passion for American craft, in particular the famous and not-so-famous potters of his native North Carolina. An avid collector of pottery, Jim has turned this personal passion into service with many of the regions museums and visual arts organizations that collect, display, and engage the public in pottery, craft, and design.
Most recently his expertise was acknowledged by the American Craft Council (ACC) which at its fall meeting elected Jim to serve on the Board of Trustees. This is a wonderful honor and one that makes all of us proud in good measure because Jim previously served as strategic planning and fundraising counsel for the ACC.
The American Craft Council is a national, nonprofit educational organization founded in 1943 by Aileen Osborn Webb. The mission of the Council is to promote understanding and appreciation of contemporary American craft. The Council is today the leading voice for the crafts in America, celebrating the remarkable achievement of the many gifted artists working in the media of clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood and other materials.
In its October newsletter, News & Views, The American Craft Council announced the incoming members of the Board of Trustees. In addition to Jim, they include Damian Velasquest, Albuquerque, NM — furniture designer and maker, owner of Damian Velasques Modern Handcrafted Furniture; and Namita Gupta Wiggers, Portland, OR, Curator, Museum of Contemporary Craft in partnership with Northwest College of Art — author, essayist, artist and jewelry designer.
Congratulations to all!
