There is one image that for me sums up the man, Jim Harithas. It is an old black and white photo from 1977 of a protest on the steps of the Houston Police Central Headquarters. Jim joined a crowd gathered there to demonstrate over the brutal murder of a young US Army veteran, Joe Campos Torres, by rogue Houston police officers. His murder and other kinds of brutality and discrimination by the police were all too common in those days. It sparked a seminal time for a rebirth of Chicano rights, for people of color caught in the justice system, and for reforming the Houston police. Though I barely knew Jim, this image, more than the knowledge of all his accomplishments, is what connects me to him.
Texas master James C. Watkins lustrous ceramic vessels featured in solo exhibition
Studio portrait of James C. Watkins. Photo by Bonni Oakes.
HOUSTON, TX
.-Houston Center for Contemporary Craft is presenting a solo exhibition by outstanding Lubbock ceramicist and educator, James C. Watkins, who was recently named a Texas Master by HCCC. Watkins joins an impressive roster of other Texas Master awardeesincluding curator Clint Willour (Houston) and artists Harlan Butt (Denton), Cindy Hickok (Houston), Rachelle Thiewes (El Paso), Piero Fenci (Nacogdoches), and Sandie Zilker (Houston)recognized for their roles as career artists, professionals, or educators who have made a significant impact on the field of craft in Texas.