HOUSTON, TX - Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (HCCC) is pleased to announce four new members have joined its board of directors: Nana Booker, Alecia Harris, Edward Lane McCartney, and Lorie Westrick.
 
The founder of Houston’s Booker-Lowe Gallery and acclaimed lecture series, returning board member Nana Booker AM had a lengthy career in public relations and marketing, as well as government service and academia. She was named Australia’s first Honorary Consul Emeritus, after having served as Honorary Consul of Australia for the State of Texas for more than 15 years.
 
New board member and 2025 Crafting a Legacy Spring Luncheon co-chair Alecia Harris spent over a decade working with Texas cultural institutions before obtaining her MBA at Rice University and pivoting to a career in finance. She leverages her role as a banker in the J.P. Morgan Private Bank to passionately advocate for Houston’s vibrant cultural arts scene.
 
Houston artist Edward Lane McCartney’s work bridges fine art, jewelry, craft, and social commentary. His multifaceted practice encompasses small-scale wearable art, large sculptural installations, and mixed-media works that explore themes of transformation, identity, and materiality. McCartney rejoins the board after being involved with HCCC for more than 20 years, participating as a resident artist, board member, and board president.
 
New board member Lorie Westrick, AIA, recently retired as Managing Principal of RDLR, a Houston-based architectural firm. She has extensive expertise in architectural design and planning and has led numerous projects for nonprofit organizations. Westrick developed a lifelong appreciation for craft and design through her upbringing in Latin America, where her artisan mother founded a wicker furniture studio.
 
Each year, board members contribute hundreds of volunteer hours to the Center and greatly expand the expertise of the organization. "The staff and I enjoy collaborating with our board members and look forward to welcoming new leadership each year. We are especially grateful for the expanded networks and new audiences they help us cultivate through their service," commented HCCC Executive Director Leila Cartier. 
 
This year also marks an important transition in board leadership, as Judy Nyquist’s presidency comes to an end after two terms and nearly a decade of board service, and Bob Schwartz takes the helm. Schwartz, who recently served as board treasurer and has a long history with HCCC, commented, “We are truly grateful for all that Judy has accomplished during her time as president. During her tenure, she confidently led the organization through important milestones such as searching for and hiring a new executive director, completing a months-long strategic planning process, increasing our funding streams, and renovating our facilities following Hurricane Beryl. Now, as we begin our 25th year at HCCC, we’re excited to tackle our strategic goals for the next three years, which include leading the field and building for the future.”
 
HCCC Board of Directors FY25-26
Bob Schwartz
President
Sara S. Morgan
Founding President
Mariela Poleo
Vice President
Isabelle Asakura
Second Vice President
Rob Greenstein
Second Vice President
Maggie McKay
Secretary
Duane Kelley
Treasurer
Judy Nyquist
Immediate Past President
Leila Cartier
Executive Director
 
Nana Booker
Porshae’ Brown
Brad Bucher
Dale Cover
Mona Elamin
John Guess
Alecia Harris
Edward Lane McCartney
Priya Ramkissoon
José Solís
Robert Tai
Tracye Wear
Lorie Westrick
Sandie Zilker