Exploring North Campus art workshops with professor Joe Clark
San Jacinto College North Campus Gallery curator and art professor Joe Clark's passion for art began in childhood and has been a central force throughout his life.
Initially entering college with aspirations of becoming an illustrator, Clark's creative journey took a turn as he discovered a love for sculpture. After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a studio focus from Northeast Louisiana University in 1994, Clark worked in various art-related jobs, including designing t-shirts and songbooks, eventually embarking on a career in graphic design.
His move to Houston coincided with pursuing a master's degree in painting from the University of Houston, which he completed in 2001. Shortly after, Clark began his teaching career as an adjunct instructor at San Jacinto College and the College of the Mainland, with San Jac hiring him full-time in 2008.
In the aftermath of COVID-19, Clark began holding art workshops to fill skill gaps that resulted from online learning.
"We came together as a department to seek a solution to supplement the traditional 16-week art curriculum," Clark said. "Nothing beats the hands-on and in-person experience, especially in an art studio course."
The workshops help bridge the gap and provide extra training, beginning with Open Studio Thursdays—after-hours studio sessions for students. These sessions evolved into structured workshops held outside of class time to bolster student engagement and preparation. The primary goal of the workshops is to enhance students' skill sets while introducing them to professional art practices they might not encounter in a typical university setting.
Workshops are offered weekly and range from art-making sessions to technical skill-building classes. In art-making workshops, students receive prompts and historical context before diving into creative projects. Technical workshops, on the other hand, focus on practical skills such as building and stretching canvases, working with power tools, or learning to cut mats.
"Our most popular workshops combine both art-making and technical skills," he said. "Students not only learn new techniques but also produce a finished artwork by the end of the session."
The workshops at the North Campus are designed for artists of all skill levels. Participants are challenged to grow and develop their craft, whether they are beginners or advanced students. Students enrolled as fine arts majors also receive extra credit for participating in the sessions. The workshops cover various mediums and art forms, such as printmaking, paper collage, illustration, and watercolor painting. Clark is enthusiastic about providing variety, ensuring students are exposed to various artistic disciplines each semester.
Since the inception of the workshops, student engagement has flourished.
"The more students participate in past workshops, the more likely they are to sign up for future ones," Clark said. "The extra effort students put in starts to reflect in their own work, and that's exciting for a young artist."
This growing enthusiasm has led to additional workshop sessions to meet the demand. The informal atmosphere and the opportunity to learn new skills and collaborate with fellow artists have proven valuable to students' creative development.
As interest in the workshops grows, so does the program. Clark envisions the workshops evolving alongside student feedback and needs, with plans to continue offering new topics and skills. The workshops foster artistic growth and serve as an effective recruitment tool, introducing students to disciplines they may not have encountered otherwise.
Future Workshops:
- Wednesday, Sept. 25, 3-5 p.m. - Watercolor Workshop hosted by professor Naomi Lemus
- Thursday, Oct. 3, 3-5 p.m. - Ominous Passages: Illustration and Panel-building Workshop hosted by professor Joe Clark
- Monday, Oct. 7, 3-5 p.m. - Sculpture Workshop: Clay and Glazing hosted by instructor Tiffany Nesbit
- Wednesday, Oct. 16, 3-5 p.m. - Papercuts No.2 hosted by professor Joe Clark
- Monday, Oct. 21, 3-5 p.m. - Sculpture Workshop hosted by instructor Tiffany Nesbit
- Wednesday, Oct. 23, 3-5 p.m. - Zine Workshop hosted by professor Naomi Lemus
- Wednesday, Nov. 6, 3-5 p.m. - Canvas Stretching Workshop, hosted by Prof. Joe Clark
- Wednesday, Nov. 13, 3-5 p.m. - Printmaking Workshop: Intaglio Dry-point hosted by professor Joe Clark
