Five wonderful people were elected/re-elected to our Board this year:
Dee Becker
Education: Bachelor of Natural Science from University of Texas
Professional Career: Licensed Real Estate Agent with Key Allegro Real Estate. Owner of Dee Becker Real Estate Appraisal Services
Family History: My grandparents fell in love with Rockport in the 1950’s. She was an artist who painted local beach scenes while he sport fished. I moved to Rockport permanently with my parents in 1972 when we made our summer home on Key Allegro our main home.
My mother established and owned Islander Interiors until her retirement. She was the go-to interior designer on Key Allegro and in Rockport for many years. She also furnished and staged homes. Inheriting my mother’s love of art and design I moved to Indonesia for several years collecting indigenous art and furnishings from the area. I traveled extensively in the region experiencing the art and culture of places like Bali.
I returned to Rockport with my son so he could grow up here. I was involved with him in his scouting as he achieved Eagle Scout. Every summer he took all the classes at the Art Center he could. He graduated from Texas A&M at College Station and is currently an Ocean Engineer for a major oil service company.
Personal Statement/Mission: The Rockport community has given so much to my family. The Art Center is a special part of my history and my son’s childhood, I want to do my part to continue the legacy of this special place.
Tracey Ramsey Bennett
Tracey Ramsey Bennett worked at the San Antonio Public Library Foundation (SAPLF) from 1996 until her retirement from the organization, as President, this past December. After a long and fulfilling career in San Antonio, Tracey happily relocated to Rockport this May.
During her time at the Foundation some of her responsibilities included: co-publishing SAPLF’s bilingual “Arte Kids” book series with the SA Museum of Art and Trinity University Press; overseeing two free and open to the public programs: “Born to Read” (early reading initiative) and the “Literacy Caravan” (a mobil classroom); raising funds for the acquisition of art works for the Library system. Tracey’s main responsibility was to raise private dollars to supplement the City of San Antonio’s Public Library System’s budget. While at the SAPLF Tracey also served as co-founder of the San Antonio Book Festival established in 2000.
After graduating from Goliad High School Tracey attended The University of Texas in Austin where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Radio, Television and Film. Before joining the SAPLF she worked at the Southwest School of Art and the San Antonio Art Institute. Born in Goliad, Tracey has one daughter who is a senior at Savannah School of Art and Design.
Mike Catlin
Education: Elementary School, New York and Texas; Jr. High School, Texas; High School, Texas; University, Oklahoma and Texas; Continuing education, Texas. Degree in Fine Art, Certificates in Programming and Graphic Design. I still attend art workshops and classes from a variety of Artists.
Professional Career: I started Custom Framing Art at the age of 16. I’ve framed for Amado Pena, Malcolm Furlow, Peter Max, Bonny, Frank Howell, Tony Magar and other world-renowned Artists. I have painted 8 foot by 4-foot show posters for Amado Pena and Malcolm Furlow. I taught at the University of Texas in Arlington’s continuing education program. I currently own Coast Modern a Custom Frame shop and Art Gallery in Rockport, TX.
Community Service: In 2015 I started a Youth Art Program in Portland Texas and the United States Congress for that effort recognized me in 2017. In 2018 I did a framing program with the Rockport Art Center where 10% of Art Fest Poster framing sales were donated back to the Rockport Center for the Arts. I helped paint the public piano for the Rockport Cultural Arts District in 2018. I was also a Rockport Film Festival sponsor in 2019.
Special Interests: Sailing, Travel, Being a part of the Art Community, not only as an Artist and Gallery Owner, but also as a collector, teacher and critic.
Personal Mission: When I chose Rockport as the location for my Gallery and Frame shop, it was because I saw major support for the Art Community and the potential to help that Community grow. My mission within the Art Community first and foremost is to be an Artist with passion and integrity for the Arts. We as Artists have the ability to “police” ourselves and it’s important that we operate with integrity and realize our decisions can affect the Art Community around us. A strong Local Art community promotes interest, buzz and sales from art collectors and the casual art lovers alike. Helping create and sustain a strong Art Community requires education and the Rockport Center for the Arts has been providing that type of support for decades. I too believe that education is a big part of being an Artist and the second part of my mission is Art Education.
I’m not necessarily talking about teaching Art, but the education of emerging art enthusiasts as well as the seasoned art collector. Buying and talking about Art can be intimidating to the young professional that is interested in buying fine art or starting their art collection. We have an opportunity as professional Artists, Gallery owners and Art educators to make our community approachable and less
intimidating for not only collectors but for aspiring collectors as well. Art collection doesn’t always have to be polished originals, it can be sketches, studies, art proofs etc. and the new Art collector might not understand or even know those options exist. Being a part of the Rockport Center for the Arts at any time would be an honor and privilege. However, with the exciting new chapter for the Art Center right around the corner, I think now would be the perfect time for me to offer my knowledge and dedication to the Rockport Center for the Arts.
Susan O’Bryant
Susan O’Bryant is married to Bill. They have lived in Rockport for the past 30 years. This will be the second time for Susan to serve on the Art Center board. Susan also served as Chairman of the Tour of Homes Kickoff Party at its inception over 25 years ago along with two other co-chairs. Susan graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas and received a Master’s in speech pathology from Texas Christian University. One of Susan’s hallmarks and distinct honors in our community is to have served as Founder of the Odyssey After School program in 2002. At Odyssey, she has served as President of the Board of Directors. She remains involved in the organization as a member of the Advisory Board. She founded and helped fund and underwrite the art program at Fulton Elementary. She currently serves in the Key Allegro Homeowner’s Association, where she resides with her husband Bill. They have two wonderful children and eight grandchildren, and they enjoy their company often.
Susan has been a longtime supporter of the Rockport Center for the Arts. In the uncertainty caused by Hurricane Harvey; she selflessly provided leadership and funding guidance to many area nonprofits that experienced tremendous loss; including Rockport Center for the Arts.
Dwayne Whitley
Dwayne Whitley is a Lifetime Benefactor who lives in Portland, Texas and spends a considerable amount of time in Rockport. He has been an active volunteer for art center functions since 2005.
Dwayne is a graduate of Texas A&M - College Station with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting and a Master's Degree in Public Administration.
Dwayne currently has a tax accounting practice in downtown Corpus Christi and a part time office in Rockport.
Dwayne has been a Founding Board Member and Treasurer of the Rockport Cultural Arts District from Feb 2016- May 2017 and serves on the Board of the Friar-Thomas Ranch Foundation in Cuero, Texas.
He is a Member/Volunteer of the Texas Historical Foundation, Member of the Historic New Orleans Collection, New Orleans, La., Member of the Art Museum of South Texas, Corpus Christi, Texas, Member of the Museum of Fine Arts-Houston, Tx, Member of the New Orleans Museum of Art, New Orleans, La., and Member of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Dwayne has actively supported the Art Center in the past and has expressed a desire to continue to do so in the future.
Thank you for your service
to the Art Center!