Items

• Earl Jones, Jr. interviewed by Ben Schachter

  In this interview, Texas Southern art alumnus Earl Jones, Jr. discusses his experience as a student who graduated in 1996. During his first period of study at TSU, Jones painted a mural reflecting on environmentalism and racism—these themes continue into his current works. Nowadays, Jones primarily creates intricate wood carvings.
• Moses Adams, Jr. interviewed by Rita Reyes and Kaylene McCoy-Mosley

  In this interview, Texas Southern art alumnus Moses Adams, Jr. discusses his experiences as a student in the class of 1969. He found his undergraduate courses challenging because he did not have a deep background in art and the TSU faculty had high standards. Adams created a sprawling, abstract mural reflecting on drug addiction and urban decay.
• Vernon Simmons interviewed by Rita Reyes

  In this interview, Texas Southern art alumnus Vernon Simmons discusses his experience as a student who graduated in 1996. Simmons' enrollment was interrupted by his Air Force service; as a result, he learned from different groups of faculty, including Biggers, Simms, Harry Vital, and Harvey Johnson. Biggers inspired him to paint what he could see.
• Richard "Sunnyside" Williams interviewed by Rita Reyes, Kaylene McCoy-Mosley, Ben Schachter

  In this interview, Texas Southern art alumnus Richard "Sunnyside" Williams discusses his experiences as a student who graduated in 1994. He learned from faculty like Biggers, Simms, and Vital, and cites classmates and fellow alumni Roy Vinson Thomas and Karl Hall as influences. Williams taught at Worthing High School for years after graduating.
• Prinston Nnanna interviewed by Ben Schachter

  In this interview, Texas Southern art alumnus Prinston Nnanna discusses his experiences as a student in the class of 2016. He describes TSU's art building as the first place where he learned about living Black artists. He also cites Dr. Biggers as inspiring him to use symbolism in his artwork. Post-graduation, Nnanna teaches at the Pratt Institute.
• Elizabeth Montgomery Shelton interview

  In this interview, Texas Southern art alumnus Elizabeth Montgomery Shelton discusses her experiences as a student in the class of 1971. She was a disciple of Professor Carroll Harris Simms and discusses learning to create clay sculptures from him. She went on to teach in Houston public schools for 37 years after her graduation from Texas Southern.
• Johnetta Tinker interviewed by Ben Schachter

  In this interview, Texas Southern art alumnus Johnetta Tinker discusses her experiences as a student in the class of 1972. As a student, she worked closely with Dr. Biggers and would sneak into his studio to watch him work. She recalls a strong sense of camaraderie with her classmates. After TSU, she was mentored by Boston artist Allen Crite.
• Kermit Oliver interviewed by Dr. Alvia J. Wardlaw

  In this interview, Texas Southern art alumnus Kermit Oliver discusses his time at Texas Southern (1962-1967) and his artistic philosophy & practice with Dr. Alvia J. Wardlaw, director and curator of the University Museum. He highlights the religious, personal, historical, and political influences that shape his artwork.
• Winston Moss interviewed by Rita Reyes and Ben Schachter

  In this interview, Texas Southern art alumnus Winston Moss discusses his experiences as a student in the class of 1963. At TSU, Moss took classes with Dr. John T. Biggers and Professor Carroll Harris Simms. After graduating, he took up woodcarving as a craft, inspired by his father who was a carpenter.
• John C. Davis interviewed by Ben Schachter

  In this interview, Texas Southern art alumnus John C. Davis discusses his experiences as a student of Dr. John T. Biggers. Davis particularly emphasizes his mural in Hannah Hall, which was influenced by the destruction of other murals, and has been damaged in recent years.
• Brenda Mackey Lang interviewed by Rita Reyes and Ben Schachter

  In this interview, former Texas Southern art student Brenda Mackey Lang discusses her time as an art student (1967-73) and as an artist later on. At TSU, Lang learned from Dr. John T. Biggers and Professor Carroll Harris Simms, met Maya Angelou, and protested with Mickey Leland.