Studio Arts Division Chair | Phone: 940-369-7671 | Email: jaustin@unt.edu

Jerry Austin is in his eighth year as chair of the Department of Studio Art where he heads an accomplished faculty of twenty-two full-time artists/educators, and sixteen continuing, part-time faculty that represent nine major concentrations in the visual arts. Under Austin's direction, new programs in Watercolor and Electronic Media have been added to the traditional stable of studio offerings. Other major accomplishments include a four day work week for studio art classes, a reduction of total hours for the BFA degree from 138 to 120 and NASAD accreditation.

Austin himself is a ceramic artist and has directed the Clay program for twenty-two of the twenty-five years he has been at UNT, taking it from a modest regional facility into a major clay laboratory recognized nationwide.

Both a potter and a ceramic sculptor, Austin says of his work:  "I work in clay because it appeals to me. I've always been intrigued with ships and I like making clay objects in their likeness. Ships are a lot like people; they are the ultimate vessel aesthetic".

On his pots, Austin states: "I simply like making functional pots that will bring beauty and pleasure to the user - it is very satisfying, and it is an amazingly challenging endeavor to do it well."
 

Phone: 940-565-4723 | Email: etaylor@unt.edu

Information to follow

Dean of the College of Visual Arts and Design |Phone: 940-565-4003
Email: milnes@unt.edu

Robert Milnes is Professor of Art and Dean of the College of Visual Arts and Design at the University of North Texas. He most recently served as Director of the School of Art and Design at San Jose State University, a position he has held for the past fifteen years. A sculptor and ceramist, prior to his arrival in San Jose, he served as Director of the School of Art at Louisiana State University (1987-1990) and as Chair of the Art Department and Professor of Ceramics at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (1974-87).

He holds a PhD in Higher Education Administration from the University of Pittsburgh (1987), a MFA in Ceramics from the University of Washington (1974), and a BA in Philosophy and Fine Arts from Claremont McKenna College (1970). His artworks have been included in over 165 exhibitions nationally including 26 one/two person shows. The works are represented in private and public collections including the Renwick Gallery (Smithsonian Institute), Arizona State University, the Seattle Arts Commission, the San Jose Museum of Art, the Erie Museum, and numerous private collections. In October, 1998, his sculptures were featured by Tercera Gallery in their exhibition at the SOFA International Art Fair in Chicago and at the gallery in Los Gatos in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2004. The Richmond Art Center in Richmond, CA hosted a one-person show of his work in 2004.

During Spring, 1997, he was on sabbatical leave from San Jose State University to further develop his art work and to travel to China and Taiwan to view museum collections and visit ancient and Neolithic ceramic centers along the Huang Ho River. In 1998, he traveled to Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico for art research and to maintain contacts with area schools. Recent travels to art centers in Italy, France, Spain, Turkey, Qatar, Germany, and Kuwait have augmented his research and insight into higher education in art and design. In spring, 2005, he was again granted a sabbatical leave, returning to Mexico for intensive Spanish language courses and additional research among the Mayan and Aztec sites below Mexico City.

Milnes served as Vice President of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (2002-5) and served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of NASAD from 2000-05. He served from 1991-1997 as a member of the NASAD Accreditation Commission and is past-president of the National Council of Art Administrators. Since 1990, he has served as a consultant or evaluator for thirty-four universities, colleges, and independent schools of art, chairing 22 accreditation teams for NASAD. He is past president of the Arts Council Silicon Valley and served on the Board of Trustees and Executive Board of the Montalvo Center for the Arts (1999-2005), and on the Aesthetics Advisory Committee for the Public Art Program of the San Jose Arts Commission (2000-05) In 2003, he was selected to be a Fellow of the American Leadership Forum/Silicon Valley and participated actively in City sponsored planning and neighborhood groups for the City of San Jose. Milnes is a 2003 recipient of the CSU Bautzer Award for University Advancement and the SJSU College of Humanities and the Arts Distinguished Service Award.

Website: www.robertmilnes.com

Phone: 940-369-6509 | Email: lichman@unt.edu

The physicality of the ceramic media is an integral part of my everyday liveliness and identity. As a result, it is imperative that my work reflect this synergy. I define myself as an energetic passionate person striving for balance and harmony in my life and in my creative work. It is important that I leave my mark on the surface of the vessels I create to express this personal involvement with each piece. The touch of my hand or a fingerprint left on the surface are all aspects of this interaction. Thick slips are added to the outer surface of my vessels, creating soft fluid contours. These luscious lines accent the form alluding to graceful movements of a feminine gesture. I begin to develop the form from within; stretching, pushing, and pulling the clay outward creating internal volume and strength. My vessels convey an inner quality or core; a breath, full of energy, and full of life.  

Phone: 940-369-7671 | Email: studio@unt.edu