By Jonathan Burger, Craven Arts Council & Gallery, Inc.
Where are you from and how did you end up in eastern North Carolina?
My father was a career Marine whose last duty station was Cherry Point. We moved to Havelock when I was in fifth grade. I have lived in Cullowhee, Icard, Kinston, Atlantic Beach, Winston Salem, and Charlotte before returning to Craven County. I moved to New Bern in 2017 to be close to family and to teach at The Epiphany School.
Where did you go to school?
I graduated from Havelock High School and went on to graduate from Western Carolina University with two degrees, a BS in Education in both Mathematics and Visual Arts. In 2020, I received a Master of Arts Education from ECU.
You’re a teacher at Epiphany School of Global Studies, what relationship do you see between your teaching and your artwork?
Teaching keeps me young and it also helps me to stay creative in and out of the classroom.
I have created some public art for Epiphany—The Peace Pole at Epiphany’s Trent Campus was something that I, with the help of my son-in-law, Federico Arvizu, created for the school (I am passionate about the theme of peace and often use if in my teaching). I also created three large paintings for the school. Two have the school’s moto which is “Love God and Your Neighbor as Yourself” (one is in the front foyer on Trent Campus and the other in foyer of the school’s Performing Arts Center) and a third with the theme of “Possibilities” is located in the school’s chapel.
One of the things that I love about teaching is seeing the student’s progress in their skills and the individuality that they put into their work. I am always amazed on how different their work is for the same assignments.
Teaching also gives me the opportunity to experiment alongside my students and explore different mediums and themes.
Is there a theme to your work, or several themes?
Peace is a reoccurring theme in my work.
Travel photos: I have enjoyed taking photos of my travels to China, South Korea, Spain, and Costa Rica.
In the past, I did have a favorite theme—my Burmese Mountain Dog. I made sculptures of him, acrylic paints, brush and ink paintings, and watercolor paintings—I basically painted him on everything!
Do you have a favorite medium, style, or method of working?
I enjoy working with a lot of mediums, but in recent years I have enjoyed Chinese brush and ink painting. I like the spontaneity of the work. I also love printmaking and working with pastels and charcoal. I have dabbled in wood burning and leathercraft—as a teacher, you do a little of everything.
Do you have any advice for people who want to get into the arts?
Just to continue to work on your skills. Use your creativity in all that you do. Think outside the box and enjoy what you do.
In there an artist who work you admire or who inspires you?
My mother, Audrey Smith. She was a local artist here in New Bern. She was active in the Arts Council (a founding member) and taught classes both in New Bern and Morehead City. She was very creative and encouraged me to go into the arts.
I also am inspired by Henri Li, who is a Chinese artist that lives in California. I have followed his work for the last twenty years.
What artwork, exhibition, or award are you particularly proud of, and why?
My presentation “Creating a Visual Arts Classroom Centered Around Peace” at the 2017 InSEA (International Society of Education through Art) presentation at International Conference in Daegu, South Korea. Being able to share my thoughts and my students work at an international conference was an honor for me.
In one sentence, what is art to you?
Art is part of me; it has been my work and my passion.
Where can people find your work?
I have some work in private collections, public work at Epiphany, and you can also see some of my work and past students on my website: Peacethruart.weebly.com and at epiphanyart.weebly.com