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[/vc_column_text][mk_image src=”http://www.asortest.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/social-fb-icon4.jpg” image_width=”42″ image_height=”42″ hover=”false” custom_url=”https://www.facebook.com/ASOResearch/” margin_bottom=”0″][mk_image src=”http://www.asortest.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/social-tw-icon4.jpg” image_width=”42″ image_height=”42″ hover=”false” custom_url=”https://twitter.com/ASOResearch?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor” margin_bottom=”0″][mk_image src=”http://www.asortest.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/social-in-icon4.jpg” image_width=”42″ image_height=”42″ hover=”false” custom_url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-schools-of-oriental-research” margin_bottom=”0″][mk_image src=”http://www.asortest.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/social-ml-icon_7.jpg” image_width=”42″ image_height=”42″ hover=”false” custom_url=”mailto:info@asor.org” margin_bottom=”0″][mk_image src=”http://www.asortest.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/blog-icon3.jpg” image_width=”42″ image_height=”42″ hover=”false” custom_url=”http://asor.org/blog” margin_bottom=”0″][/vc_column][vc_column border_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.01)” width=”1/6″ css=”.vc_custom_1496683923840{margin-right: 20px !important;border-left-width: 2px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;border-left-color: #99422f !important;}”][mk_divider divider_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.01)” thickness=”1″ margin_top=”3″ margin_bottom=”3″][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=”ca-sidebar-39801″][/vc_column][vc_column border_color=”rgba(170,170,170,0.01)” width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1487276122024{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 30px !important;border-right-width: 2px !important;border-bottom-width: 2px !important;padding-top: 30px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;border-right-color: rgba(227,228,228,0.75) !important;border-bottom-color: rgba(227,228,228,0.75) !important;}”][vc_column_text responsive_align=”left”]ASOR REMEMBERS ARTEMIS JOUKOWSKY
by Megan Perry, with tribute quotations by ASOR presidents and other leaders
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Arte and Martha Joukowsky in 2006.
(Photo credit Barbara A. Porter)
Artemis A.W. Joukowsky, a long-time friend and supporter of ASOR, passed away on December 11, 2020 at the age of 89 due to complications of COVID-19. Arte had strong ties to Near Eastern archaeology, serving as President of the ACOR Board of Trustees for almost 20 years and assisting his wife Dr. Martha Sharp Joukowsky in her archaeological research and fieldwork in Jordan. Arte was born in Shanghai, China and immigrated as a child to New York with his family. He attended Brown University as part of the class of 1955, and later worked for American International Group (AIG), which took him and his family to many parts of the world, including Turkey and Lebanon. He maintained a strong and meaningful relationship with his alma mater, eventually serving as a Trustee, then Vice Chancellor and Chancellor, and finally as Chancellor Emeritus, along with other honorary positions.
Probably the most meaningful outcome of his time at Brown was meeting his beloved wife, Martha Sharp when they were both undergraduate students. Martha introduced Arte to the world of archaeology during their overseas stints and since 1982, as an archaeology faculty member at Brown University. After fieldwork in Lebanon, Hong Kong, Turkey, Italy, and Greece, Martha directed the Petra Great Temple Excavations in Jordan from 1993 to 2009. Arte joined Martha and her excavation team, which sometimes included other members of their family, in the field almost every summer and served as the official dig photographer. In 2004, Arte and Martha’s dedication to archaeological research culminated in the establishment at Brown of the Artemis A.W. and Martha Sharp Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World, which has served as the home institution for many ASOR members. Arte and his family’s foundation also supported archaeological research and conservation projects and assisted local communities Jordan.
Arte presents ACOR Board member Mohammad Asfour the Distinguished Service Award in 1993. (Photo credit Bill Lyons)
Arte was involved with ASOR largely through his role as President of ACOR’s Board from 1992 until 2011. Dr. Pierre Bikai, then Director of ACOR, knew Arte and Martha from their days in Lebanon in the 1960s and 1970s and felt the institution could benefit from his executive experience and connections. As president, Arte ensured ACOR’s financial survival during the difficult years after the First Gulf War and provided stalwart leadership as the institution grew both in size and scope in the 1990s and 2000s. Arte and his close friend Professor Jim Wiseman were both financially and administratively instrumental in securing ASOR’s long-time Boston home in Kenmore Square. His accomplishments were recognized in 2007 with a W.F. Albright Service Award presented at the ASOR Annual Meeting in San Diego. ASOR’s past president Tim Harrison noted that Arte provided support and wise counsel in his early years serving as ASOR president. Arte’s advice was sought and given to many.
Arte had a generous spirit, welcoming visitors with open arms at both the Great Temple excavation and at his and Martha’s home in Providence. He took great pride in showing off the work of Martha and her team while serving as the unofficial site steward. Arte quickly grew to love Jordan and its inhabitants and worked to give back to ACOR’s host country. In addition to his service to ACOR, Arte was a trustee of the King Hussein Foundation and received the Order of Independence medal from Jordan in 1996.
Arte is survived by his wife Martha Sharp Joukowsky, their three children, Nina Joukowsky Koprülü, Artemis Joukowsky III, and Michael Joukowsky, and eight grandchildren.
-Megan Perry
[/vc_wp_text][mk_divider][vc_wp_text][/vc_wp_text][mk_divider][vc_wp_text]Arte was a true gentleman whether in the field or in a Board room. Always nattily attired and full of warmth and vigor, it was always a pleasure to engage with him one way or another. He and Martha were a pair to be admired in so many ways. His efforts in behalf of ASOR in getting space at BU for so many years was only one of the many ways he was helpful to the ASOR family, especially ACOR. He will be sorely missed.Eric MeyersPast ASOR President, 1990–1996 and 2006–2007
[/vc_wp_text][mk_divider][vc_wp_text]As President of the Albright Institute and later of ASOR I had the great pleasure of working for many years with Arte Joukowsky, ACOR’s long term Board Chair. While a determined promoter of ACOR, Arte took full view of the big picture of American archaeological work in the Middle East and provided formative support for ASOR and all of its overseas affiliates. This was featured specially in his initiative which gave the ASOR family a rent-free home at BU for two decades and led to the formation of the “656 Beacon Street Affiliates” group where the leadership of ASOR and the centers met annually for discussion on issues of mutual support. Arte was a thoughtful and most constructive participant in these meetings. He was also in all situations a most congenial host. I recall especially how warmly he received and accommodated me (and assuredly also other visitors) on a visit to Petra while Martha was excavating there. His formative support and leadership will be sincerely missed by ACOR and the whole ASOR family.Joe Seger
Past ASOR President, 1996–2003
From the start, I felt a special affinity for Arte Joukowsky because we both grew up in China during World War II. I came to know him, though, through Martha and her enviable archaeological reputation. As vice-president for ACOR, and chair of its search for a president, it fell my lot to travel to Brown and talk Arte into filling that role—and what an amazing transformation in ACOR he was responsible for! Working with Pierre and Patricia Bikai, and later, with Barbara Porter, they put ACOR on a sound financial footing that has enabled its unparalleled success. Arte’s enthusiastic support for Martha’s work at Petra’s Great Temple, in and out of the field, was inspiring to behold. When I became ASOR president, I looked to Arte for counsel and advice—something I could always count on. In addition to his generous financial support for both ACOR and ASOR, he was ever ready and available to share his considerable administrative and business acumen with me during ASOR’s consolidation in Boston. Both ASOR and I have lost one of our most avid and dependable supporters but his heritage and influence live on to make us a stronger society.Lawrence T. Geraty
Past ASOR President, 2003–2006
Arte was a tenacious champion for ASOR, as he was for so many other institutions and organizations dedicated to the study of the ancient world. This included timely interventions at critical moments in ASOR’s history, and it took on a very personal focus for me during the rocky early months of my first term, when he provided a steadying hand and wise counsel to a woefully inexperienced and unsure president. I will never forget our quiet conversations at the annual meetings, usually with a favorite drink in hand, and I will be forever grateful of his unwavering support and encouragement during that turbulent time. His calming influence helped instill confidence we could work through the seemingly insurmountable challenges we confronted, especially the deep structural deficits and organizational problems we faced, when so many others doubted ASOR’s future. Arte will be dearly missed. We have lost a true champion and friend. Thankfully, Martha and he have left a rich legacy that will live on, ensuring their shared passion for the study of the ancient world will continue to thrive and flourish.Tim Harrison
Past ASOR President, 2007–2013
Together with his wife Martha, Arte Joukowsky was one of ASOR’s most generous lifetime donors, and he was always generous with his time and wisdom as well. ASOR counted him as a dear and forever friend.Susan AckermanPast ASOR President, 2014–2019
ASOR has been truly blessed since its inception by a cadre of generous benefactors from the “real” world who have provided sage advice, organizational acumen, and financial resources that greatly enhance our wide-reaching endeavors. Arte Joukowsky was legendary among these for his energy, wisdom, and good will. We will miss him.Sharon C. Herbert
ASOR President, 2020–present
I became director of ACOR in May of 1991 when the effects of the first Gulf War had seriously impacted the institution. It was, in effect, closed and I needed help. So I called my friend of twenty years, Arte, and asked him if he would be willing to become the chair. He said yes and over the next fifteen years we worked together and laughed together and made ACOR the strong institution that it is now.Pierre Michel BikaiPast Director of ACOR
I was fortunate to know Arte and his family since the late 1960s in Lebanon, and in the late 1970s in New York City. However it was the years working with him as ACOR Board President after I became the ACOR Director in 2006 that provided the chance to get to know him even better, and also benefit from his guidance and profound care for Jordan and ACOR. Special trips to Petra when he was there with Martha and the Brown team afforded me a chance to spend special time with them and so too visits to their wonderful home in Providence. He helped and influenced many individuals, including myself, and that is part of his legacy.Barbara A. Porter
Past Director of ACOR
[/vc_wp_text][mk_divider][/vc_column][vc_column border_color=”rgba(170,170,170,0.01)” width=”1/6″ css=”.vc_custom_1496684098866{margin-right: 5px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;border-right-width: 2px !important;border-bottom-width: 2px !important;padding-top: 30px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;border-right-color: rgba(227,228,228,0.75) !important;border-bottom-color: rgba(227,228,228,0.75) !important;}”][vc_wp_posts title=”BROWSE THE NEWS ARCHIVE” number=”4″][/vc_column][vc_column border_color=”rgba(170,170,170,0.01)” width=”1/6″ css=”.vc_custom_1496684008271{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 30px !important;border-right-width: 2px !important;border-bottom-width: 2px !important;padding-top: 30px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;border-right-color: rgba(227,228,228,0.75) !important;border-bottom-color: rgba(227,228,228,0.75) !important;}”][vc_column_text]Tweets by ASOResearch [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]Artemis Joukowsky was a person of great intelligence and an extraordinary leader. When assuming the presidency of the ACOR Board of Trustees in 1992 he demanded a thorough and long overdue review of ACOR’s mission, bylaws, and reorganization of its board. He then led a major fund-raising drive, funded in large part from his own resources, that literally saved ACOR from a precarious financial predicament in the aftermath of the First Gulf War. His leadership and personal generosity continued in the following years as ACOR paid off the mortgage on its permanent headquarters, expanded its physical plant and programs, and began building a significant endowment. He effectively delegated responsibility among the officers and other members of the ACOR board in order to fulfill its role while trusting in the administrative leadership of the ACOR Directors, initially Pierre and Patricia Bikai and then Barbara Porter. During Arte’s two decades (1992-2011) as President of the Board of Trustees, ACOR was literally transformed into one of the leading research centers of the Middle East.S. Thomas ParkerACOR Second Vice President, 2001–present
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At the 2019 ASOR Annual Meeting in San Diego, Assaf Yasur-Landau, Eric H. Cline and Yorke M. Rowan were awarded the G. Ernest Wright Award for their book, 
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