Ruth Pasquine

Sunday, September 3, 2023

I’d like to express my gratitude for the very generous hospitality and genuine friendship that Alan and his wife Joan extended to me personally while I worked at the Arkansas Arts Center. They consistently invited me to join them and their family for holiday meals. Additionally, Alan was an accomplished museum professional and photographer. He took excellent care of the Decorative Arts Museum, curated exceptional exhibitions of contemporary craft, perceptively added to the permanent collection, and provided insightful educational experiences for the docents and public. His passion for his field is shown by the outstanding collection of pottery that he amassed. His dedication to family and job made a significant contribution to the community.

Brian Young

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

I moved to Little Rock in 1997 to work at the Arkansas Arts Center. Alan was an amazing colleague who treated me as an equal well before I even approached his deep knowledge of the field. That professional kindness has stuck with me. On a more personal level, he and Joan invited me for Easter dinner when I lived alone. And, I want to mention that it was Alan who took me to lunch and introduced this Midwestern boy to catfish. He will be missed!

Heather Rhodes-Pagan

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Alan I remember when you and Joan came to Arkansas and you were curator of the Decorative Arts Museum. It was such an honor to have both you and Joan in John's and my life . You were a great inspiration to me and John and your friendship shall be missed.

Leslie Garrett

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Alan was my boss, friend and mentor. He will be missed greatly by everyone who was fortunate to know him.
I can imagine the smile on his face when he saw his lovely bride again.

Susan Jones Boe

Monday, August 14, 2023

I am so sorry for your loss. Your Dad was such a kind gentle man. I got to know him when my late Mother worked as a docent under Alan's tutelage in the early 90's. He was always smiling and gave so freely of his time and knowledge. I hope a lifetime of happy memories provides comfort and grace in the years to come.

anncha briggs

Sunday, August 13, 2023

Alan and his wife Joan were such a warm gracious couple. Alan’s knowledge about Crafts and Photography and the wonderful exhibits he curated for the Arkansas Arts Center Decorative Arts Museum at the Terry House were openings not to be missed. He had such a good eye for clay, wood, glass, metal and fiber crafts, etc and we all learned so much from these exhibits. And through the FOCC, Friends of Contemporary Craft he helped establish, studio trips and dinners with artists became a highlight for many. Yes, you are missed. Thank you Alan.

Ann Prentice Wagner

Thursday, August 10, 2023

I got to know Alan and Joan only late in their lives, but I feel so fortunate to have known them. They were warm and wonderful to me, and to everyone. Their love of art, including photography and craft media, was infectious and enriching. I miss Alan and Joan both. I will keep the happy memories of my friends close, always.

Michael Preble

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

Alan brought passion and credibility to his love of the best of craft. His curatorship at the Decorative Arts Museum was driven by imagination and innovation, presented for all of us to enjoy. He always succeeded in giving us more than we could imagine with limited resources. He set a high standard and as Curator of Art at the AAC, I enjoyed the comraderie.

Thom Hall

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

Alan was a wonderful guy and a terrific curator and a pretty swell photographer, too. The exhibitions he put together and presented beautifully at the Arkansas Arts Center Decorative Arts Museum housed in the historically important Pike-Fletcher-Terry House were important and helped elevate the field of Contemporary Craft nationally and worldwide. Today, three-dimensional objects in craft media (clay, wood, glass, fiber,metal…) are considered as important as the so-called Fine Arts of drawing, painting, and sculpture. Alan helped us all see and appreciate this. When he retired, the museum was recognized nationally and internationally for its focus and collections of Contemporary Craft and Drawings (and works on paper). We all should say “thank you, Alan” for how that makes our lives better. Let us pray that the museum now known as the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts will remember its history and pay that forward.

Thank You, Alan!

—- your friend and colleague, Thom Hall, Museum Registrar, Arkansas Arts Center, 1975-2015

Carol Young

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

I met Alan and Joan at Second Presbyterian Church. They hosted a dinner for international students, and I was one of the drivers. I was so impressed by their home on N Woodrow, and Alan explained that it was a craftsman bungalow. That started my journey loving everything about the Arts and Crafts era. I had lost track of them over the years, but I will never forget them.