N E W S * R E L E A S E

Contact: Mark Lacy (713) 521-3686 mark@cultural-crossroads.com www.houstonculture.org/media April 6, 2001

Houston Institute for Culture News Briefs


Featured Artist Bill Steber

The Houston Institute for Culture presents an On-line Exhibit of photography by Bill Steber. The Nashville photographer has documented the culture of Mississippi Blues for nearly a decade. This on-line presentation of select images allows for a wide audience to access this artistic and educational series that might otherwise remain hidden in a far away gallery. Steber was selected as the first Houston Institute for Culture "Featured Artist" because he represents the ideal dedication to preserving a record of an endangered culture. While Steber has found increased exposure for his documentary photography around the country, we hope the exhibit will encourage underexposed cultural artists to contact Houston Institute for Culture about their work. Viewers can see part of this exceptional series of black and white photographs by going to the Internet site www.houstonculture.org/artist.


Photography Courses

Houston Institute for Culture offers Photography and Lighting Courses for artists who are interested in producing social documentaries on film or video, handling their own publicity, documenting their work, taking better travel pictures, or improving their images in any capacity. Those interested should visit www.houstonculture.org/class or call 713-521-FOTO.

The cost of the eight-week course is $75 and the proceeds will be used to bring artists to Houston to give presentations and workshops. The registration deadline for the next course is May 25.


Tour Historic New Mexico

Our May trip will take us back to territorial New Mexico, across the San Luis Valley on the Spanish frontier and to prehistoric sites of the Anasazi. We will follow the route of Cabeza de Vaca and Juan de Onate along the Camino Real to Santa Fe. We will continue on the historic Zuni Trail and follow ancient roads connecting fantastic civilizations in the Four Corners region. For more modern excitement, we will follow the Otto Mears Highway through the Rocky Mountains. Dates for the trip are Saturday, May 26 through Sunday, June 3, 2001. Those interested can get information by calling 713-521-3686, or by viewing the itinerary on line at www.houstonculture.org/travel.


Cabeza de Vaca On Line

Those who will be traveling to New Mexico or would like to learn more about American history from the earliest Spanish contact with the Native Americans can read the journal of Cabeza de Vaca on line. De Vaca's sixteenth-century adventures in the interior of America covered more than eight years and 6,000 miles as he wandered from Florida to Mexico City. To access the book on line, readers should send an email to info@houstonculture.org, or see www.houstonculture.org/spanish on the Internet.



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