This regular feature recognizes the activities and honors received by ACC faculty and staff. To submit news or suggestions, see the contact information below.

Austin Visual Arts Association Honors

Visual Communication Professor Sam Coronado recently received a Lifetime Achievement award from the Austin Visual Arts Association.

Sam Coronado

Coronado is a recognized Austin artist and co-founder of the Mexic-Arte Museum. In 1992 he established the Coronado Studio, a commercial printmaking facility, and the following year launched the Serie Project, a non-profit organization that allows Latino artists to learn and practice serigraphy in a workshop environment at no cost.

Coronado teaches and lectures on Chicano art in museums, art schools, and universities around the country. He has been with ACC since 1991.

Two other ACC faculty members were finalists for this year’s AVAA awards. Adjunct Art Professors Ishmael Soto and Claude van Lingen were finalists for the Collectors Circle Award recognizing career artists who consistently create outstanding series of works.

The AVAA awards recognize local artists who have achieved excellence in a range of media. Finalists are selected by representatives of Austin’s arts communities. Visit the Austin Visual Arts Association website for more information about the organization and the awards.

Sharing Expertise

Two ACC professors were selected to share their expertise and experiences with their counterparts from around the state

Adjunct Art Professor Claude van Lingen presented the Paul Hanna Lecture at the Texas Association of Schools of Art annual conference in San Antonio in October. Van Lingen described his progression from the strict academic training he received from Royal College of Art instructors to exhibiting internationally in venues such as the Sí£o Paulo Biennial. He also discussed principles of the creative process, which he explores in his forthcoming book, “Art, Creativity and Controversy.”

Joe Liro, adjunct professor of Russian, presented his paper “Poetry in the Russian Classroom” at the South Central Modern Language Association’s annual conference in San Antonio in early November. Liro teaches his students several masterworks of Russian poetry, as well as how to write poetry in Russian. By the time students finish the ACC sequence in Russian language and culture, Liro says, most have memorized a few key works of Russian poetry while appreciating the historical context in which they are written.

A Shining Achievement

ACC's Lyman Grant introduced Liz Scanlon at the Illumine 2012 event.

Liz Scanlon, adjunct associate professor of creative writing, recently was honored at Austin Public Library Friends Foundation’s Illumine 2012 benefit recognizing outstanding literary achievement.

Scanlon, who was honored for her contributions in children’s literature, has written several children’s picture books, including “Noodle & Lou,” “Think Big,” “A Sock is a Pocket for Your Toes,” and “All the World,” a Caldecott Honor recipient. Her next book will be out in January. Scanlon’s poetry also has been widely published in literary journals. She has taught at ACC since 1994.

Giving the Gift of Life

Biology Professor Dr. Steve Muzos and his wife, Anne, recently were recognized for donating blood to benefit service members. The two are featured on the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) website for their new tradition of donating blood on Anne’s birthday. They recently traveled to Robertson Blood Center at Fort Hood specifically to give blood to support and honor service members, including those killed or injured at Nov. 5, 2009, Fort Hood shooting. Read the ASBP story to learn more.

Creating an Impactful Design

Lisa Rehbein, a graphics design specialist in Public Information and College Marketing, received an American Graphic Design award from Graphic Design USA magazine. Rehbein received the award as lead designer for Impact Living Local, a publication of Community Impact Newspaper, where she worked before joining ACC earlier this year.

Do you know a faculty or staff member who has accomplished something notable outside the classroom or in their community? We want to hear about them. Contact Jennifer Powers, [email protected].