A Q&A with Junior Art Education Major Jordan Jones

Jordan Jones
Junior Majoring in Art Education, with an emphasis in Sculpture

In this conversation, Jones talks about the large mural at Kingsdale Swimming Pool in Bella Vista that she recently completed, being a non-traditional student who explored multiple educational options, how much she loves the different techniques she’s learned in her School of Art courses, her Lhasa Apso sidekick, Murphy, and the importance of trying new things, finding what sparks passion and not being afraid to fail.

Q: Tell us a little about your academic passions, research and/or what you’re studying within the college. What excites you about this?

What excites me the most about my personal studies is the idea of involvement within the community.

I believe we all need to be involved in any small way or another in order to create positive change for ourselves and our neighbors.

I love that I get to be a part of the education system and guide students to use their voices for a better tomorrow. That is what I am passionate about, and what better way to accomplish it than with art.

Q: You recently completed a large mural project, tell us a little about it.

First and foremost, I’d like to send a huge thank you for featuring me and my work. It means so much!

This mural is located in Bella Vista at the Kingsdale Swimming Pool at Riordan Hall.

I was initially approached by the Director of Recreation and Wellness in Bella Vista, Joan Glubczynski, who asked if I would be willing to create something bright and colorful for the once tan wall that people of all ages could maybe stop to appreciate.

I have volunteered for Joan before and she has seen some of my work and told me I was the first person she thought of! I reached out to Dr. Laporte who graciously offered her help and guidance in possibly receiving funding through the School of Art to aid in the cost of paint and supplies, which she got for me!

Joan allowed me to come up with my own concept and design. It was initially inspired by my love and interest in geometric forms and the waves were added to represent the strength of the community.

I just knew I wanted it to be bright and bold and for the kids visiting the pools to love it. When you personally see a younger child mimicking the lines along the waves with their hands, well, that kind of thing is all I really wanted out of this.

It was an amazing experience and I’m so happy I was given the opportunity.

Q: How long have you been at Fulbright College? What have you enjoyed most about your time here?

I first began my time at Fulbright College back in 2010. I did not yet know what I was seeking from my educational career and before I knew it, I was withdrawing from all of my classes. But your passions never really die.

So here I am, back at Fulbright College loving what I am doing and creating. I am proud to be a non-traditional student, it has truly shaped my work ethic, hard work and dedication.

What I have enjoyed the most about my time here is finding the countless opportunities that students have access to.

I have met influential people, connected with fellow artists, traveled to art conventions, collaborated with other students and people from the community, gained experience in a gallery setting, networked with established businesses and have seen beautiful and meaningful art, most of which I could not have done without the support of Fulbright College.

Q: What has your favorite class been so far and why?

Okay, this one is tough. At Fulbright College and specifically in the sculpture department, I’ve had the opportunity to learn things I never thought I would.

I’ve learned how to weld, sculpt with wood and metal and use countless machines and tools for metalworking and woodworking.

I know how to successfully critique my fellow peers and myself in ways that will push us further into our work and purpose. I know how to print photographs in a darkroom, cast with wax, sat in on bronze pours and demonstrations, observed different school settings,  created lesson plans that I would want to teach, worked at the Sculpture Gallery (hey, come visit me!), and really delve in to concepts and ideas that I may not of previously considered.

But I think my very favorite class was my two-week Special Topics course taught last summer by Dr. Angela LaPorte. We collaborated with clients from Life Styles, Inc. within a class designed to put us in a position of student AND teacher.

I had the opportunity to work with students with different forms of disabilities, which gave me so much insight and confidence as a pre-service teacher. Together as a class, we taught and participated in lesson plans as well as put on our own gallery show for the community to be invited to and become a part of. It was really special.

Q: What advice would you give to new students about to join the college?

To try everything. Don’t limit yourself to what you think you might be interested in or should be studying.

Challenge yourself and allow yourself the opportunity to find what sparks passion.

I’ve changed my major countless times and have added a lot more time to my degree plan in the process, but I’ve acquired experiences, encounters, relationships and self-exploration that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

So, to any incoming students: It’s okay to be curious, I would encourage it.

Q: What do you like to do during your time outside of the university?

I’m big on family and enjoy spending time with them whenever I get the chance.