James Watkins

James C. Watkins is a Paul Whitfield Horn Professor in the College of Architecture at Texas Tech University. Professor Watkins teaches Architectural Ceramics and Architectural Drawing. He is the co-author of two books, “Alternative Kilns & Firing Techniques” published by Lark Books and “Architectural Delineation, Presentation Techniques and Projects” published by Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company. His work is also the subject of a book entitled “A Meditation of Fire the Art of James C. Watkins” by Kippra D. Hopper published by Texas Tech University Press. He received his B.F.A. from the Kansas City Art Institute, and his M.F.A. from Indiana University.

Von Venhuizen

Von is an Associate Professor of Art – Ceramics, at Texas Tech University, in Lubbock, Texas. Before Texas Tech University, he was the Production Manager and Educational Coordinator for Dahlquist Clayworks, in Des Moines, Iowa. He received his M.F.A. in 1996 from Indiana University – Bloomington , Indiana. After receiving his MFA, he was hired at Herron School of Art for the summer, then promptly employed as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Art at Michigan State University for 3 years. Von has pieces in permanent University collections, museums, and private collections. He is published in numerous books (i.e 500 Ceramic Sculptures), and has been in over 100 juried exhibitions, solo, and two person exhibitions.

Jim Bob Salazar

Jim Bob was professionally trained in commercial art and advertising and received a degree from Texas State Technological Institute. After working in the commercial art business for eight years, Jim Bob felt it was time to return to school and continue his education. Upon returning to school at West Texas A&M University, he was exposed to the fine arts for the first time. He went on to receive a B.F.A. in Studio Art with an emphasis in Ceramics.

Jim Bob felt the desire to learn more about clay, and in turn share his newfound feelings and information of clay with others. He enrolled in the graduate ceramics program at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas and received an M.F.A.

After almost fifteen years of teaching at Sul Ross State University Jim Bob and his wife decided to make a huge lifestyle transformation and quit their day jobs to follow their desires of making art full time. They have been full time artists for four years.

Jillian Cooper

Jillian is a ceramicist living and working in Plano, TX. Jillian received her MFA in Jewelry/Metalsmithing in 2013 & and her MFA in Ceramics in 2015, both from Texas Tech University. This year she had been included in in exhibitions in Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Tennessee, and Texas. Currently she is the Ceramics Lab Coordinator for Collin College in Plano, TX.