The Wittliff Collections at Texas State University has appointed Carrie Fountain as its new literary curator. Fountain, a celebrated poet and writer, brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the literary arts in the Southwest.
As literary curator, Fountain will oversee the Southwestern Writers Collection, which houses the archives of notable writers such as Cormac McCarthy, Sandra Cisneros and Sam Shepard. Her responsibilities will include acquiring literary archives, curating exhibitions, organizing public programs and editing The Wittliff’s literary book series with Texas A&M University Press. She will also engage with both academic and non-academic communities through public talks, programming and tours.
Fountain’s appointment aligns with The Wittliff Collections’ mission to collect, preserve and present the cultural heritage of Texas, the Southwest and Mexico through the works of the region’s storytellers. Her extensive background in literature and her established relationships within the literary community will further enhance The Wittliff’s offerings and outreach.
“As a writer and a thirteenth- generation Southwesterner, my care for the literary heritage of this land is deeply rooted and deeply meaningful,” Fountain said. “I’m thrilled to join the Wittliff team.”
David Coleman, The Wittliff Collections director, was excited to bring Fountain on as the new literary curator.
“She brings years of experience as a creative working in academia,” Coleman said. “She’ll draw upon a deep personal connection to the literature and history of the Southwest in building upon our literary collections.”
Naomi Shihab Nye, Texas Writer of the Year, 2024 (San Antonio) and professor of creative writing at TXST, was elated with the choice.
“What a thrilling confluence of forces in the state of Texas — the stunning writer Carrie Fountain of Austin being named literary curator of The Wittliff Collections archive at Texas State University; Hard to imagine what great projects she will help conjure up,” Nye said. “This joyous appointment is a boon to us all.”
For more information about The Wittliff Collections, its archives, exhibitions and upcoming events, please visit thewittliffcollections.txstate. edu.
