DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Dallas Morning News and University of Texas at Arlington (UT Arlington) have collaborated to recruit acclaimed architecture writer, critic and editor Mark Lamster of New York. He is expected to begin positions for both the publication and university in April 2013.
Lamster is currently associate American editor of Architectural Review, contributing editor for Design Observer and a regular contributor to national magazines and newspapers. He is an author of numerous books, including works on baseball and art. Currently, he is at work on a biography of the late architect Philip Johnson, designer of several prominent structures in North Texas, among them are the Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth, and the John F. Kennedy Memorial and Thanksgiving Square in Dallas.
“Mark's range of interests rivals any architecture critic in the country. He brings a fresh perspective to North Texas, one that helps all of us see our visual surroundings in new and different ways,” said Bob Mong, editor of The Dallas Morning News. “I am confident that Mark's skillful use of language and his strong grasp of architectural concepts will draw a large, thoughtful audience. He will spark the conversation in North Texas.”
In addition to his multiple duties at The Dallas Morning News, Lamster will also become architecture professor in practice at University of Texas at Arlington. Fittingly, he will be responsible for a cross-disciplinary graduate seminar on criticism and critical writing, as well as publish longer-term research projects for the David Dillon Center of Texas Architecture at UT Arlington.
Dillon was considered by many newspapers across the country as one of the best minds and voices in American architecture while he was architecture critic for The Morning News from 1981 to 2006. Dillon died in Amherst, Mass., in 2010. He was 68 years old.
“There is a palpable sense of architectural energy and purpose in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, a desire to think creatively and proactively about how to make buildings and urban spaces to best serve diverse communities,” says Lamster. “I very much look forward to becoming a part of that conversation, and to working with the students and faculty at UT Arlington who will shape that future.”
UT Arlington President James D. Spaniolo said that Lamster’s appointment will further illuminate the reputation of the University’s School of Architecture.
“We are pleased to add Mark Lamster to UT Arlington’s distinguished architecture faculty,” Spaniolo said. “His experience will afford our students new opportunities to interact with communities and leaders in the world of urban design. Mark will add depth and richness to our students’ academic endeavors.”
Bob Mong agreed and said that the depth and richness in the field of architecture, arts and culture has been missed in the greater Dallas community.
“There most certainly has been a void in our arts and culture coverage since David Dillon,” said Mong. “We believe Mark will step in and become a major player in the public discussion of growth, design and architecture in the North Texas region. I know that Mark's eye will catch interesting insights whether he's looking at Downtown Dallas, something new or old in East Dallas, or an innovative retirement community in Central Texas. I say, let the fun begin.”
The joint position is the third major venture between The Dallas Morning News and UT Arlington this year. The Morning News was a major sponsor of the first Dillon Symposium held in April 2012. This year’s Dillon Symposium is scheduled April 18-19 at the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas. The Morning News also co-sponsored with UT Arlington a regional symposium in April 2012 featuring author and urban theorist Richard Florida.
About The Dallas Morning News
Established in 1885, The Dallas Morning News is Texas’ leading newspaper and the flagship newspaper subsidiary of A. H. Belo Corporation. It has received nine Pulitzer Prizes since 1986, as well as numerous other industry awards recognizing the quality of its investigative and feature journalism, design and photojournalism. Its portfolio of print and digital products reaches an average daily audience of more than 1.1 million people and includes online news and information sites; iPhone, Android and iPad apps; Al Día (www.aldiatx.com), the leading Spanish-language daily in North Texas; neighborsgo (www.neighborsgo.com), a consumer-generated community news outlet; and Briefing, the free, home-delivered quick-read. To advertisers, the portfolio of products is represented by DMNmedia (www.DMNmedia.com), the marketing solutions group of The Dallas Morning News, Inc. For more information about the publication and its entities, visit www.dallasnews.com.
About The University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Arlington is a comprehensive research institution in the heart of North Texas. With more than 33,800 students in Spring 2013, UT Arlington is the second largest institution in the UT System. Research activity has more than tripled to $71.4 million over the past 10 years. Visit www.uta.edu to learn more.