Dallas College art professors don’t just teach art—they live it. On April 1, to in celebration of #DallasArtsMonth, a Dallas College faculty and staff transformed the North Lake Campus gallery hall into a showcase of their creative projects, giving students a glimpse into their professional practices beyond the classroom.
Titled “32.87º N, 96.97º W,” in reference to the longitude and latitude coordinates that map the location of North Lake Campus, the exhibit defies a single theme or technique. From explorations of nature, the universe and religion, to reflections on iconography, personal identity and memory, each piece employs a unique blend of color, techniques and media, revealing the breadth and depth of the instructors’ artistic vision.
Among the seven artists featured, four captured our attention: Alex Ferrante, Byron Black, Kate Jenkins and Allison Gilles.
Ceramics Professor Alex Ferrante invites viewers to reconsider how we engage with the world through imitation. His work, Matter Out of Place, challenges conventional systems of categorizing objects while examining their broader cultural connection.
“In many ways, the piece is about blurring the boundaries and questioning the way that we systemize objects and the kind of cultural reverberations of that,” he said. “When I’m working in my studio, I’ll sometimes make connections that are just kind of through the experience of making them.”
His piece was inspired by the snare drum. The rattles reminded him of a rattlesnake, which, if alive, could be threatening. The piece compares and contrasts original objects with replicas made of wood, polyurethane foam, flexible resin, ceramic and mat board. Each object reflects an assigned cultural significance but are made of other substances; the stick is made of ceramic and the baton is made of a flexible material, all to play with the assumptions of the viewer.
Professor Bryon Black immerses the audience in a magical, digital landscape, reviving memory. Black’s works are portraits deeply rooted in the loss of his mentors, Bill Crawford and Chris Fulmer, transforming grief into an intimate narrative. The artist used Photoshop alongside his anthropological knowledge to evoke an emotional story.
“I entitled this one, ‘Vegvisir,’ which is an ancient Norse magic compass,” he said. The composition is a medium for both pain and remembrance; an acknowledgment of a mentor who guided him.
Photography Prof. Kate Jenkins used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to capture reality and redefine truth, retelling her family story as a compelling narrative. As a photographer whose job is to capture reality, Jenkins transformed the picture of her great-grandmother, Lucy Leona, taken 100 years ago, to craft a fascinating family circus story involving Leona.
“I’m asking different AI sources, ‘Well, what does this person look like?’ and then generating an image,” she said. Jenkins’ work demonstrates a creative vision that blurs the line between reality and imagination, turning memory into a richly reimagined visual story.
Professor Allison Gilles exploits colors, hue and depth to convey imagination and emotions. Her compositions feature human figures, animals and color palettes to reflect beauty while expressing darker emotions and recovery. In discussing her piece, “Iteration I: Seasons of Grieving; Never Losing Hope” she said, “The narrative, while open to interpretation, is meant to be the seasons of grieving, healing and retaining hope.” Although rooted in a specific theme, Gilles’ artwork invites viewers to draw their own meaning, allowing each observer to connect with the pieces in a personal and profound way.
The works featured in the 32.87º N, 96.97º exhibition transform the gallery into more than a showcase; they create an immersive experience where creativity, memory and emotion intersect, inspiring students to see art, not just as a subject to study, but as a living dialogue between art and audience.
The exhibit will be on display through May 1, offering visitors an extended opportunity to explore the diverse works. #DallasArtsMonth is a social media campaign initiated through the City of Dallas to highlight cultural events throughout the city during the month of April.
