We Have an Issue: Hats Off to a Maestro: Farewell to Arts Editor Robert Faires – Columns
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Oak beach (Photo by John Anderson)
In this week’s issue, art editor Robert Faires publishes “Last Bow of an Accidental Critic,” his departure after nearly 30 decades leading our art coverage. He deserves a standing ovation.
If you’ve followed Robert’s work in the paper, then you already know the authority and skill he put into the work; this work has earned him all sorts of awards and accolades, including admission to the prestigious Texas Institute of Letters in 2019. If you are a member of the art scene, you may know the particular joy of being represented by Robert the Critic. or Robert, the co-founder of the Austin Arts Hall of Fame. Robert is an active member of this community himself; If you’ve had the chance to see him on Austin stages, you’ll know what a charismatic artist he is.
Few of us – a few very lucky ones – know what it’s like to work with Robert. In an office full of madmen, Robert was a comforting presence, and he’s the elegant exception to our dingy ranks. (The man can really wear a hat.) When a room full of editors is stuck creatively, he is often the one who brings us to the Aha! Place. He makes the best headlines and can even add his own art to his stories (see this week’s feature for proof of his illustrative power). In short, he is irreplaceable.
As Robert points out in his article, he is the first and only art editor the Chronicle ever had, and we will keep it that way. Sometime in October, we’ll be unveiling a new culture section that will combine our art and screen coverage, expand our online presence, and include more of the general culture coverage we did in our (now withdrawn) “Naked City” section. Current Screens Editor Richard Whittaker will oversee and define this ambitious new cultural department. The art editor’s hat – which Robert wore so well – belongs to him for a lifetime.
Online this week
Whisper Network author Chandler Baker
Booking the Book Writers: The Texas Book Festival announced that nearly 200 writers will be attending its hybrid festival, a nine-day event that kicks off October 23; the expanded line-up includes Chandler Baker (Whisper Network), Ann Cleeves (Vera and Shetland series), Tamron Hall (As the Wicked Watch) and Nathan Harris (The Sweetness of Water).
Approved for launch: Austin Public Health has approved the ACL Festival’s COVID health and safety protocols, which require attendees to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of entering the festival.
Last Week In Live Music: Photographer David Brendan Hall picks his favorite images from last week’s shows, including Eric Clapton, Leon Bridges, Glass Animals and Sabrina Ellis.
Eric Burton in “Devexity”
Sci-Fi Noir: Black Pumas singer Eric Burton talks about his leading role in Luke Lidell’s trippy short film “Devexity”.
Austin Restaurant Weeks: Find out which 50+ restaurants, bars, and breweries are participating in the 10-day event that features affordable, fixed-price menus to raise funds for the Central Texas Food Bank.
The Austin Chronicle Show on COOP 91.7FM
This week, News Editor Mike Clark-Madison speaks about the redistribution and Screens Editor Richard Whittaker recommends movies at Fantastic Fest.
Tune on the KOOP Community Radio on Fridays at 6 p.m. Past episodes at austinchronicle.com/av.
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