Paul Jones is the new man on the Tyler Junior College Art Department staff. Jones started working as a full-time professor this fall.
After moonlighting as a part-time art teacher here at TJC, Jones was offered a full -time position, replacing C. J. Cavanough who retired after teaching for 42 yearsJ.ones started his college educationatTJCbeforemoving toUT-TylertoearnhisBachelors of Fine Arts and then on to the University of North Texas for his MastersofFineArts.
He began his teaching career in the Dallas area at different community colleges but finally got his chance to move back to Tyler when offered a job teaching at Jarvis Christian College.
“Interacting with students and hopefully turning them on to art is one of the things I want to do,” Jones said.
Jones was the only art teacher at the smaller college. This gave him a free reign over the department. Feeling something
was still missing, he found his answer at Tyler Junior College.
“Here at TJC, there is a group of people. There are other art people to talk to and bounce ideas off of,” Jones said.
The other teachers in TJC’s Art Department have the same feelings toward Jones as he does them.
“Coming from a school where he was the art department, he is very innovative and resourceful, coming from a small school like that. Obviously it proves he was in this for teaching,” Chris Stewart, TJC Art Department Chair said.
Stewart went on to comment on Jones’ ability to get along with different types of students from ex-marines to hardcore art students.
“He’s very versatile. He loves teaching art appreciation and has a great rapport with a wide variety of our students. He could teach the traditional and non-traditional students,” said Stewart. Students speak the same about Jones’
teaching and his artistic ability. “He is very enthusiastic about his work, very creative and he wants us to be creative as well. To think outside the box,” said Lena Sanders, a former student of Jones.
Jones will not only be displaying his teaching skills, but also his artistic skills this semester.
Through Nov. 19 at the Tyler Junior College Wise Auditorium Art Gallery, Jones will be showing an exhibition of his own work en- titled, “You and Me, Dolphin.”
There will be an a Artist talk and reception in TJC Wise Auditorium Art Gallery from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 19.
