Trio of fresh faces join TRAHC staff

The Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council recently welcomed three new staff: Chris Wicker as visual arts coordinator, Hannah Reed as education coordinator and Emily Engstrom as administrative coordinator. (Photos by Amanda Langley)
The Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council recently welcomed three new staff: Chris Wicker as visual arts coordinator, Hannah Reed as education coordinator and Emily Engstrom as administrative coordinator. (Photos by Amanda Langley)

TEXARKANA, Texas - If you visit the Regional Arts Center downtown and see a bevy of new, young faces, do not be surprised.

On the move with changes, the Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council recently welcomed three new staff: Chris Wicker as visual arts coordinator, Hannah Reed as education coordinator and Emily Engstrom as administrative coordinator.

TRAHC Interim Executive Director Jennifer Unger is pleased to see a youthful staff influx at the arts agency.

"I'm especially excited about these three hires because they're young, they're energetic, they all have connections to Texarkana, so they are going to bring not only their energy but lots of ideas," Unger said, "So that as TRAHC is moving into our next chapter of our organization's history, they are able to help us. Because one of the things that I'm really passionate about is being inclusive and making sure that we are providing programming for everyone in the community."

They will help TRAHC look at what's being done already and take that foundation to improve what they do and "add new and exciting experiences," Unger said.

"TRAHC is working hard, going strong. We are alive and well," she said. There's a transition and change afoot, but it's an opportunity to grow stronger, she explained.

Wicker will guide TRAHC's array of art exhibits and programming, and his position involves community outreach for the arts agency.

"The visual arts coordinator oversees all of the exhibits in all of our gallery spaces, including our ArtsWall in the ArtSparK, so all of our national shows, our local, our regional, the juried shows, the ones that tour and the ones that we curate, he's in charge of setting the vision and all of the details of the exhibitions," Unger said.

Additionally, Wicker will head TRAHC's community arts classes, whether they take place at the RAC or at Arts

on Main. "Hopefully we'll be getting more of those back in session as it's safe," Unger said.

Wicker worked as both a visual arts intern and summer worker at TRAHC. He earned his MFA in new media at Texas Christian University.

"He's always been so wonderful to work with, so when he came back in town and now has the experience for this position, it's kind of like he's coming home," Unger said of this Texas High School graduate who knows Texarkana and has roots here, as do the other new staff.

Reed graduated from Henderson State University with a BFA in digital art and design and recently worked with Hospice of Texarkana.

As education coordinator, Reed will work with schools, placing teaching artists there for performances and residencies, plus oversee TRAHC's Theatre for Young Audiences series at the Perot Theatre.

"She'll be working with the schools to reserve those seats," Unger said. She'll also be involved in the selection of shows, giving input as she also works on ticket sales.

"She'll be working with the schools very closely and get to know what their needs are, so we can be sure all of the programming that we plan is meeting their needs," Unger said, noting the nonprofit experience should serve her well in this position.

"That makes it an easier transition for her," Unger said.

Engstrom's duties as administrative coordinator for TRAHC will certainly be an eclectic mix of projects, such as membership, payroll and other financial duties.

"She wears many hats," Unger said. "She works in the administration office with the executive director."

She's also personable, the interim director said, while at the same time she understands how to get things done.

"She is incredibly good at details, but she's also really personable. There's a good chance that if people call TRAHC they may hear her happy, smiling voice on the other end of the phone. She's always willing to help with anything, and she has jumped in with both feet and hit the ground running," Unger said.

Engstrom graduated from Baylor University with a BA in philosophy and a minor in business administration and political science.

(On the Net: TRAHC.org.)

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