Central Gallery News & Events

Student Spotlight

Samantha Allen is majoring in Fine Arts with a focus on Ceramics. She plans on applying to UT Tyler and UT San Antonio. She is currently building a portfolio so that she can apply to RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) as well.

Her preferred medium is clay! She is drawn to this medium specifically because of how versatile it is, whether its creating sculptures or functional wares that can be used in everyday life.

The art-making process inspires her the most; it's very intimate, and through art she is able to make anything she can think of while also making it her own in the process.

She aspires to own her own business making ceramic wares to be sold in shops and in galleries all over.

The Unicorn Sculpture

But I Trusted You

The Thrift Store During The Pandemic

Garden Party

Featured Alumni - Where are they now?

Stephanie Ables graduated from San Jacinto College in the Spring of 2021 with her Associate of Arts (AA), and has transferred to the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL). She is currently pursuing a major in Studio Arts with a minor in Graphic Design at UHCL.

Getting her AA provided a head start by allowing her to experience and network with different campuses, professors, and their studios.

Being artistically inclined from a young age and with a background as a cake designer, there was never any doubt of what type of degree she would pursue. For a long time, she did not think it was feasible for her to go back to school. Finally, after a long stint working for various high-end Houston bakeries, and with the encouragement of her husband, she decided it was time to make this goal a reality.

Stephanie advices current students to: "Keep in touch with your advisor to make sure you’re taking the right classes. Look ahead at university study programs for your intended major to make sure the classes you’re taking now count towards your bachelors. Don’t be afraid to reach out to potential program directors with questions and visit the campus. Network. Have fun. Breathe. It’ll be over before you know it."

Her artistic pursuits are multifaceted. Each medium has specific properties that can lend to improvement and/or understanding of another. If she had to choose her preferred medium, it would be Ceramic. There is so much it entails, such as varying methods of firing, glazing, and clay bodies. Because of that, she has a never-ending desire to investigate and experiment with everything ceramic-related.

Her recent artworks can be viewed below. You can also follow her on Instagram.

Burnished and Pit Fired Pots

Ceramic Weaving Loom with weaving and embroidery

Recycled materials fiber collage

Cat carved from Texas cream limestone

Happenings...

Empty Bowls
Bowl-A-Thon
All Bowls from the event benefit Houston Food Bank's Annual Empty Bowls Houston Sale at the
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
Saturday, May 20, 2023
10 AM - 3 PM

Clay is furnished. 
All skill levels welcomed.

For more information Contact: 

Michael Unger
Michael.Unger@sjcd.edu

281-998-6150 ext. 1761

Are you interested in joining the Art Club? Complete the Art Club Interest Form. 

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