FOUNDER

In 1996, about a year after I began collecting early Texas art, I founded the Texas Art Collectors Organization (TACO). At that time I was hoping that doing so would assist me in acquiring information from other collectors that was not readily available from other traditional sources. Seeing other collections would also be a big benefit. At that time I would never have imagined that TACO would still be in existence all these years later. Much of the credit for our longevity goes to the very committed board members we have had as well as to our enthusiastic members.

PRESIDENT

Fred and his wife Cortney live in Dallas and have two daughters. He began collecting art about 20 years ago and quickly developed a passion for early Texas art that was fostered, in part by joining TACO in 2008. Between his time as both a collector and an ISA-accredited fine art appraiser, he has enjoyed gathering knowledge of the region’s artistic heritage. Of his collecting interests, the main focus is finding art made by early Texas artists as they visited the areas that Cortney and he also like to visit: the Four Corners. If you can't always be there, you can still see on the wall every day!

 Fred is currently the president of TACO and has served on the board since 2018. He has been the past communications director in charge of publishing the semi-monthly TACO newsletter. Through his leadership at TACO, Fred fosters connections among collectors, scholars, and institutions to promote the appreciation and preservation of early Texas art.

TREASURER

Russ Aikman began collecting Early Texas Art in 2001, about the same time he joined TACO. In 2011 he became a member of the Board of Directors, serving later as Newsletter Editor (2014-2017) and President (2018-2023). His collecting interests include art created from 1900-1950 from both Texas and Arkansas, his home state. He also collects antiques from the American Arts and Crafts movement.

BOARD MEMBER

Jeff is a native Texan, with Texas roots stretching back to the early nineteenth century.  Jeff and his wife have been collecting early Texas art since Tricia’s fateful trip to Round Top in 1998.  Jeff is a lawyer in Dallas.  In addition, he serves on the Board of the Center for the Advancement and Study of Early Texas Art (CASETA) and on the Advisory Council of the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin.  Jeff is a past Board member of the Cedars Union in Dallas, an arts incubator, and of the Panhandle Plains Historical Society Museum, Texas largest natural history museum.  Jeff and Tricia live in Dallas and have two adult daughters.  Tricia is a nationally known needlepoint designer and teacher.   

COMMUNICATIONS

My roots run deep and from an early age I was aware of my family’s pride and connection to our humble corner of the world, in North Texas. It is that sense of place, the journey of discovery, and my love of history and architecture that aligned with the study of Historic Preservation. As a preservation architect I work with buildings that are a tangible link to our past and tell our collective story. So naturally, I am drawn to pieces of art that reverberate off my memories through the work’s background, subject or colors. 

BOARD MEMBER

Avid collector of Early Texas Art and its related paper memorabilia and ephemera.  Past Board Chair of Center for the Advancement and Study of Early Texas Art (CASETA) and the Oak Cliff Society of Fine Arts (Turner House).  Recently celebrated 50 years of practicing law.

BOARD MEMBER

About 35 years ago, I was introduced to early Texas art by a fellow board member. When I saw the quality, breadth and diversity of the art that was being produced in Texas, I was not only stunned, but hooked as well. Ever since then, I have endeavored to learn more about it, and to refine my eye. TACO has allowed me to do both.

BOARD MEMBER

Ellen Buie Niewyk received her BFA from the University of North Texas in 1976 and her MFA from Southern Methodist University in 1978. 

Ellen began work at Southern Methodist University in 1987 and served as Curator of Bywaters Special Collections located in the Hamon Arts Library until her retirement in 2021. She is the author of Jerry Bywaters: Lone Star Printmaker (SMU Press).

BOARD MEMBER

Jim and his wife, Susan, are the parents of 3 adult children, twins Hunter and Meredith, and Landon.  Their two sons are both geologists, and their daughter is a former private school admissions director and currently assistant to a corporate executive trainer.  Jim and Susan are the proud grandparents of four grandchildren and counting.  They particularly enjoy spending time at their family ranch in Palo Pinto County, involvement in church activities, and playing pickleball (Jim)!

 Jim is a sixth generation Texan and began collecting ETA 10 years ago after combining his interest in Texas history and appreciation for art. Jim and Susan love the monthly TACO meetings, yearly CASETA art symposiums, and the interaction with fellow collectors from around our great state.