The Skyline Newspaper

Jon Brieger teaches his art to JimBob Salazar’s ceramics class. Photo by MaryAshley P. Gredell

Pottery Workshop Teaches Discipline, Professionalism

By MaryAshley P. Gredell
Skyline Reporter

The pottery wheels and canvas-covered tables were cleared away from the ceramics studio last Saturday in preparation for two guests from Blanco, Texas.

Jan and Jon Brieger, professional potters, visited Sul Ross to put on an all-day workshop for art students who spend most of their classes covered in clay and bent over their wheels. Those eight hours afforded students time to watch, ask questions about, and appreciate the skills demonstrated by the Briegers and their combined sixty years of pottery making.

JimBob Salazar, associate professor of ceramics and instructor for all ceramics students at Sul Ross, likes to teach practicality to his students along with the artistry of his craft and found a workshop that could further his message.

“When I am looking for a workshop to bring in for the students, I’m looking for someone who works the way I teach— that is, I teach students how to make pots with integrity and pots that they could possibly sell one day,” said Salazar.  “If you are going to be a potter and make a living it will take discipline to be able to get up each day and do what it takes to be a potter and a provider.  The Briegers are a prime example of that.”

As evidence in their nearly thirty-year partnership in business and marriage, the Briegers worked side by side, Jan hand-building several textured plates and serving platters while Jon threw a teapot, a pitcher, and several bowls and cups on the wheel. Their handcrafted dedication extends beyond their business in crafts and pottery—located between San Antonio and Austin—but even into their own house and pottery kiln, which they built over two years by hand out of local stone and recycled brick. An afternoon slideshow featured much of their work as well as their home, which they open up yearly to pottery enthusiasts.

Said Jan Brieger, “Oftentimes potters sell themselves short—they’re too busy with pots to publicize themselves or their work. You can still be modest and humble about what you do, but don’t be afraid to talk yourselves up.”

Encouraging news to the approximately twenty students who showed up to soak in some of their expertise and enjoy an outdoor bar-b-que and pot luck lunch, all of which was saturated with talk about pottery.

“The Briegers put on a very nice workshop,” said Salazar, adding, “They also demonstrated that you can make a living making pots and have a nice and happy life doing it.”

Endowment Provides Scholarships for English Majors

A newly-established endowment will provide scholarship opportunities for English and English education majors at Sul Ross State University.

The Ellie Aileen McKinney and George Gantt Winn Scholarship Endowment and Fund was established Feb. 12 through a $10,000 private contribution. Sul Ross President R. Vic Morgan and Susan McKinney Barnes, family representative of the estate of Ellie A. McKinney, signed the agreement.

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be English majors, with preference given to students in Education.

Beginning students must be fully admitted to Sul Ross. Returning students must be making normal progress toward a degree and maintain an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

Scholarship nominations will be made by English Department faculty with approval by the Department of Languages and Literature, and recommended to the University Scholarship Committee for approval. Awards will be made by the University Scholarship Committee.

“We are grateful to the McKinney family for providing additional scholarship opportunities at Sul Ross,” said Morgan. “The ever-growing support through endowments is integral to continued student success.”

Sul Ross endowments presently exceed $12 million funding over 210 programs. For more information on endowments, contact Leo Dominguez, (432) 837-8033 or leodo@sulross.edu

Waddy-Thibodeaux to Perform March 25

Performing artist Melissa Waddy-Thibodeaux will portray Harriet Tubman, a central figure in the 1800s Underground Railroad, Tuesday, March 25 at Sul Ross State University.

Waddy-Thibodeaux, of Houston, will present “The Resurrection of General Harriet Tubman for Literacy” at 7:30 p.m. in Marshall Auditorium.

There is no admission charge and the public is invited. The event celebrates Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) at Sul Ross.

Waddy-Thibodeaux is the president and chief executive officer of Flying Geese Productions, which specializes in educational entertainment. This presentation allows the audience to experience the Underground Railroad, as she plays a compelling role of Harriet Tubman. She makes a complete transformation from a 21st century business woman to an icon in American History, captivating audiences on a national platform.

A graduate of Sterling High School, Houston, in the Class of 1972, Waddy-Thibodeaux graduated with honors and a scholarship to Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, Texas and from there starred in numerous productions with various theaters in Los Angeles and Hollywood, modeling and singing, cut a first record called “I’ll Never Quit,” and began touring the U.S. and Canada with Thomas Melancon’s “Whatever Happened to Black Love,” where she played the feisty Mrs. Carson.

She travels far and near to spread the word of the importance of reading in an attempt to re-direct the next generation to Freedom, which comes with knowledge. She is still setting the “Captives Free” in “The Resurrection of Harriet Tubman in Escape to Freedom” which is listed with the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Programs.

22nd Trappings of Texas Another Successful Event

Museum of the Big Bend staff called the 22nd annual Trappings of Texas another extremely successful event.

Trappings, which annually features classic cowboy gear and artwork, enjoyed an impressive opening (Feb. 29-March 1), with more than 40 percent of the exhibit items already sold. In addition, Saturday’s auction, which serves as the Museum’s primary fund-raiser, approached last year’s record sales.

“Both the wall sale and auction results were a pleasant surprise,” said Liz Jackson, assistant to the director. “Despite an uncertain economy, we enjoyed tremendous support from our sponsors and buyers.”

Proceeds from the Trappings exhibit go directly to the artists and gearmakers. Auction items, donated by the participating artists and other supporters, benefit Museum programs.

Museum director Larry Francell called Trappings “a great success. Trappings has reached a level of high quality that seems to grow each year.

“Hosting Trappings with the Museum’s facilities fully renovated made a difference,” he said. “In addition to the Trappings works, sponsors and buyers had a chance to see all the permanent exhibits in the Museum and the changes that have taken place in the past year alone.

Francell also praised Sul Ross State University’s long-standing support.

“Sul Ross deserves a great deal of credit for the success of Trappings and the Museum operations as a whole,” Francell said. “The university continues to be a solid foundation for our mission to preserve and promote the history of the Big Bend.”

For more information, contact Francell, (432) 837-8145 or francell@sulross.edu