Eric's Perspective Feat. Kenneth Gatewood

In this episode, Eric sits down with artist, curator and professor; Jamaal Sheats. They discuss his background — growing up in Nashville, Tennessee, his interest in the arts, his educational background, attending Fisk University and ultimately ending up at Fisk University as a faculty member! Sheats sheds light on how at first he ‘ran’ from the arts — wanting to be a business major, an entrepreneur but how he ultimately pursued his artistic passions and the role his parents played in encouraging him on his artistic path. They discuss the mentors he had that were instrumental in his life, the technique of repoussé, training and developing as an artist. The artists that helped inform his work and how he pays homage to his lineage and ancestors through it. They discuss his involvement at the prestigious institution of Fisk University — a historically black university, the art department that was established by Aaron Douglas, the impressive long list of alumni and its mission to educate and inspire the next generation of art leaders and advocates. The extensive collections held by Fisk, his role as an art professor, the programs and exhibitions that Sheats has curated throughout the years and his exciting plans for the future.
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Guest Bio: Jamaal B. Sheats, MFA is Director and Curator of the Fisk University Galleries and an Assistant Professor in the Fisk University Art Department. An alumni of Fisk, both positions enable Sheats to work with students, faculty and the community in ways that integrate his expertise and passion for the arts, education, and mentorship. As a member of the Art Department he has taught Sculpture, Arts and Ideas, Drawing, and Independent Study courses for students with an interest in sub-specialties. In his director and curatorial appointment with the Fisk University Galleries, he successfully integrated the Arts into all academic disciplines and increased engagement with the Middle Tennessee community through novel and innovative approaches. Sheats’ implementation of multi- and inter- disciplinary programs, such as the Fisk University STEAM (Science Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Series, Babies in the Gallery (BIG), Visiting Lecturer Series, and Gallery Ambassador Program for Fisk students and community members, are outcomes of this goal. During Sheats’ 3-year tenure as Director and Curator of the Fisk University Galleries, he has also curated 15 art exhibitions; welcomed over 16,000 visitors from across the globe; created the Fisk University Galleries Fellowship for post-doctoral scholars; and built a continuous pipeline of charitable giving from the annual Friends of the Gallery Campaign that he instituted in 2016. In 2017 Sheats’ led efforts to secure funding from the Ford Foundation and Walton Family Foundation to establish the Fisk University Museum Leadership Program, which is a 2-year certificate program that aims to diversify art museum leadership. Within the arts community Sheats is a well-known and respected artist who has maintained a strong and consistent domestic and international exhibition record for nearly two decades. Jamaal B. Sheats, MFA obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Art from Fisk University and a Master of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Studio Art from the School of the Museum of Fine Art (SMFA)-Boston and Tufts University. He completed a postgraduate Teaching Fellowship at SMFA-Boston and Tufts University, as well as a Teaching Artist-in-Residence at the Nashville Public Library.
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