I graduated from UNG in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Art Education. I have consistently taught art in public schools since 1997. Currently, I teach beginning through Advanced Placement Visual Arts at Forsyth Central High School in Cumming, GA.
I transferred to UNG from UGA in 1994. My main reason for transferring was Bob Owen’s attention and care for his students. He balanced the offering of space and support with grace and compassion. He would be hands- on when needed but would often give us challenges.
After spending hours at the wheel, he would stop by to check progress. Then, he would offer a little challenge like, “Can you break the 9” ceiling?” Then he would grin and walk away know that I would sit there for hours until I did it. Another time, we challenged him, in jest, to use his techniques to throw 25# (a bag) of clay. He did and with an audience and the same grin. In a short time, he threw a huge bowl using all of his strength.
There were times that colleagues would question my choice of leaving University of Georgia at a time when big name professors were leading the department. I never regretted my decision. My professors from UNG had a role to play in every job I’ve had since college. My professors from UNG were invested in the individual. That’s always made a difference.
I received a scholarship from the Hal B. Rhoades Foundation. I had the pleasure of meeting them as well. This was the first professional validation I had for my art path. It meant a lot to me. In addition to this, I worked in the visual arts office with Estelle. This was a true pleasure and allowed me the opportunity to get to know the professors on a personal level.
Supporting the arts and the Visual Arts Department is inherently supporting the application of all other subjects into a new form. Visual Arts is the funnel in which literature, science, math, debate, political science, and history find their bridges and combine to be a stronger force. We need more members of society who can see the world in new perspectives and come up with new solutions. Not to mention, the arts complete this task while supporting mental health practices. There are not many other fields of study which offer the breadth of knowledge and practice.
To serve Georgia and communities across the UNG reach, we need to have a strong visual arts department with a strong arts education training program. This ensures solid practices from K-12. To offer a perspective, I would not have continued my path in art education without the support of my professors at UNG. I just began my 25th year teaching and have taught approximately 10,000 students in grades K-12 in two states and four districts. Every student who I have taught has had a thread of my professor’s compassion. And that is just the impact of one person. I think about Bob, Tommye, and Hank’s compassion and patience with all their students. That compassion created the framework in which I have built my career.
To quote John Graham
The purpose of art in general is to reveal the truth and to reveal the given object or event; to establish a link between humanity and the unknown; to create new values; to put humanity face to face with a new event, a new marvel.
John Graham
Systems and Dialectics of Art