Standing behind the Great Hall, you may be able to catch a glimpse of the peculiar shaped building at the bottom of the hill. If you squint hard enough, you might see a student or two standing behind their easel or drawing board. This building is the Lucas Art Workshop, and to much of the campus, it is a mystery. You may not know what goes on during those long studio hours or why so many students leave class covered in paint and clay every day. And if you have never stopped by to ask these questions, you may not even know that there is a new face within its walls.
Professor Brian R. Jobe recently moved from Knoxville with his wife Carri, their three boys, two dogs and a bearded dragon to join the Covenant community as the three-dimensional design professor.
From a young age, Jobe had an interest in art, inspired by his father who was an architect. He attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and the University of Tennessee San Antonio, earning BFA and MFA degrees in Sculpture. Studying sculpture allowed him to think about art in a more comprehensive way, “You want to bring in knowledge and inspiration from other disciplines to have a holistic way to talk about something you make.”
After earning his MFA, Jobe spent the next twelve years teaching art in both Texas and Tennessee. Having grown up in the PCA, Jobe was familiar with Covenant and found it intriguing. He developed a connection to Covenant’s art program in the early 2000s when Professor Jeff Morton joined staff. Jobe remained connected to Covenant through his friendship with Morton and shared artwork in the Kresge Gallery.
Ten years ago, the Jobes started a non-profit organization called “Tri-Star Arts.” Their approach features a palette of programming, including a web resource (locatearts.org) that provides a landing place for the arts throughout Tennessee.
“It is a way for artists and anyone to get a snapshot of what is going on in the state,” Jobe explained. In addition to this online platform, Tri-Star Arts hosts exhibitions and gives out yearly grants.
For Jobe, art is a field of communication and should feel accessible to people. He believes that artists are called to not only be skilled practitioners, but also relational beings who reflect Jesus to those they encounter.
“[the art department’s] privilege on campus is to make art in a way that invites people in, and in which we can affirm our faith in the process,” Jobe said.
Lucas is a building bubbling with inspiration and curiosity. But it is also a place where we can relate to one another and delight in the work of the Holy Spirit. Like Jobe shared, art should engage all disciplines. So come down the hill, engage in conversation, and pour yourself a cup of coffee. And while you’re at it, stop in and get to know Professor Brian Jobe too.