John Amoss' Shared Story
What is Your Background with UNG?
My titles include Professor of Art/printmaking, The Roy C. Moore Gallery Director 2009 - 2011, and Department Chair from 2011 until the consolidation with North Georgia College and State University. I originally replaced Anne Bessac in 2008 as an assistant professor of Graphic Design in the Fall of 2008 (my MFA is in printmaking, my BFA was in illustration).
Before teaching, I worked as an illustrator for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's newsroom for 10 years (1986-96), I later ran my own corporation Amoss Illustration, Inc. for 9 years. My clients were many Fortune 500 companies (I have a list and lots more info if you want.) I have also taught at The Atlanta College of Art (now SCAD) and The University of Georgia.
I'm planning to "retire" in Jan., 2023. I have built a thriving printmaking business, Tanuki Prints and am a musician (www.thehobohemians.com) and I have plenty of other plans, believe you me.
What is a Memorable Story About the Department You Would like to Share?
Some of the most pleasurable times I have had was the experiences teaching in Spain, Italy, Japan, China, and Morocco. I do miss such opportunities and I hope that they return for the art department. Over the years, I'm also very proud to be a part of a group who feels free to support each other. I must add that there were times in the past few years during which such goodwill was tested. The fact remains that we really are a "bottom up" department who believes in serving each other.
I think that I also felt honored to teach the first graduating senior class on the Gainesville campus in the fall of 2017. It was a great batch of students and they were interesting characters to boot. Since the faculty was smaller back then, we all had a chance to know them from being freshmen to graduating seniors. Ultimately, the exhibition was a great success and we had well over 150 people fill the reception. I think that it set a great example for the future.
Why Should UNG’s Department of Visual Arts be Supported?
I believe that UNG has a great diversity of courses and faculty who are eager to mentor students from across the north east Georgia area. UNG art students have had great success after leaving here without being encumbered by massive tuition costs which plague most institutions.
We're absolutely surrounded by visual communication. I believe that we take this for granted because we're so used to seeing it all of the time. Look around- it's everywhere. Visual arts can be powerful in an elemental way: If you don't believe me, see how some elements of society wants to censor it.
In your job, What and Who Gave You Inspirations?
I think that my main inspiration has been helping students finding their own way in a tough business. In today's society, I believe that here are not a lot of templates to help develop personally. I believe that art school is an incubator for not only a career, but a way of life. I simultaneously empathize and applaud the choice of art students to "find their voice" while taking on big questions. Few have the courage to tackle such things and I just can't help but want to be a part of it— mainly because I'm doing the same thing along with them.