October saw the opening of one of the most successful Arts International Exhibits ever - and that’s not just my bragging but is based on feedback from many different sources. I’ve had artists, newspaper reporters, visitors from other places and even the judges tell me how impressed they are with the quality of the art and with the professional manner with which Arts International 2008 was handled. Frederick Somers was lavish with his praise of El Paso, EPAA and the artists he encountered while here. He told me that he has never seen an art show of this quality produced by a local or regional art organization before and that he could only compare Arts International to some of the national art shows he has entered and judged. The opening night gala was attended by approximately 400 people and everyone seemed to enjoy the evening and the comments were universally positive. My congratulations go out to Bob Adams, Corinne Spinnler and their committee. You guys did a fantastic job!

The same day that Arts International was opening EPAA lost one of our best friends and staunchest supporters when Catherine “Kitty” Kistenmacher passed away. Much has already been written and said about Kitty’s years of service to the arts in our city and of her many accomplishments so I’m not going to repeat what has already been said by others. Included with this edition is a memorial insert giving testimony to Kitty and to two other great ladies who contributed much to El Paso and to the arts, Marilyn von Tunglen and Jill Smith. (Click here for the memorial insert.) What I want to do is share a few personal memories of Kitty with you through this column.

While at the Sun Bowl Art Show opening a couple of years ago I was talking with Bill Rakocy, who had judged the show, when Kitty came up to us. She confronted Bill and began to tell him that her entries to the show had been rejected because the rules excluded collage art. She was upset that one of the winning pieces in the show was “collage” and she demanded an explanation from Bill. There was Kitty - all of five feet tall - standing “nose to nose” so to speak with Rak, shaking her finger in his face and demanding an explanation. Well, Rak looked to me as if he wanted my help and I, in my most prudent manner, turned and walked several feet in the opposite direction. When I looked back poor Rak was thumbing through a catalog of the show, apparently desperately seeking some answer as Kitty stood looking up at him and shaking her finger in his face. That has to be one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen and I still laugh every time I think about it. Tiny Kitty confronting tall Rak and I don’t have to tell you who was winning that debate!

Kitty and I did not always agree about what constitutes “fine art”. We had several interesting discussions on the topic. I soon discovered that whenever Kitty thought I was making my point perhaps a bit too convincingly to suit her, she’d draw herself up to her full height, raise her hand with her finger pointing straight up and declare that she was going to make an “executive decision”. That always ended the discussion with Kitty getting her way. For those of you who are old enough to remember the Lil’ Abner comic strip, I couldn’t help but laugh as I pictured Kitty as Mammy Yokum taking that same stance and saying “I has made my decision!”

I believe that if we judged a life like we judge an art show, then surely Catherine Kistenmacher’s life was a “Best of Show.” I will miss her as will her many friends in El Paso. Adios, Kitty.

President