Black Melds Passion for Art with Mettle in Classroom

Jennifer Moore, staff writer

Allison Black has accomplished many things both in and out of the classroom.

Black, assistant professor of art, is in her fourth year at South Plains College. She earned a bachelor of fine arts degree at Virginia Tech, then went back to school at Texas Tech University when she was 30 in order to earn her master’s degree.

Prior to teaching at SPC, Black taught art for three years at San Jacinto College near Houston. She also taught at Texas Tech as a teacher of record for two years, then stayed on as a visiting artist after she earned her master’s. Black also taught at the Lubbock S.M.A.R.T. program.

As a metalsmith, she has had metalwork exhibited in New York, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Santa Barbara, Michigan and Colorado. Slides of her work have also been shown in Russia. Though she has exhibited work in traveling art shows, the artist has currently called back all of her gallery work.

She explained that her love for art started in kindergarten, and was encouraged by a family member.

"I was always interested in art," she said. “I was always making stuff. I had an aunt, she painted, and she used to get me stuff to do with my hands."

When she was 8, Black went to Ireland and Italy with her family. She explained that she was surrounded by famous and breathtaking artwork.

"When I went to Italy, seeing David, that did it for me right there," she said.

Black's first artistic pursuit was sewing before she moved on to painting. It was in high school that Black said she found her artistic calling.

"I was 15 and I was in a class called creative crafts...I'd always had that deep interest in art and making things. We did weaving and ceramics, and we did metals. The first time I touched metals, I knew that was what I wanted to do the rest of my life," she said.

Black lists Wassily Kandinsky, Arlene Fisch and Maurice Prendergrast as some of her favorite artists.

"I like art that's thought provoking," she said. "I like when it adds a spiritual aspect, not spiritual as religious, but spiritual as an inner quality. That it can help me see in a new way."

Black also said that her motivation to make and teach art was sparked by love.

"If you love it, you'll succeed," she said. "I enjoy teaching and making my work, and I'm successful at it."

One lesson that Black tries to teach her students is that of independent thought.

"Do what you love,” Black said.  “Don't decide on a career based on money... When it comes to making this decision for yourself, don't let someone else tell you what to do. Work your butt off at it, be passionate.”

Black offers art classes for both art majors and non-majors. The offerings include ceramics, jewelry and metal smithing and casting. For more information, contact Black at 894-9611 ext. 2197.