I encourage students to talk with the artists while in the gallery viewing the work. Imagine seeing art in person for the very first time and speaking with the artist about their work!
Christine Blackhurst
- Alum
As Exhibitions Coordinator, Christine Blackhurst oversees art exhibitions in the galleries and exhibition spaces associated with multiple campus locations and manages and curates the permanent art collection. Before coming to A&M-Commerce she taught Ceramics, Ceramic Sculpture, 3D Design and Art Appreciation at Brookhaven College, Collin College, Eastfield College and Southern Methodist University.
Christine maintains a working studio on the east side of Dallas. Her current personal work is informed by pattern, color, and texture, exploring the way in which these elements exist in our lives. Her work is included in public and private collections including Collin College, Eastfield College and A&M-Commerce. She is also represented by Haley-Henman Gallery, Dallas, Texas.
A Conversation with Mrs. Blackhurst
What would you tell a student who is thinking about attending A&M-Commerce?
If you come here, you'll be glad you did. For younger students who prefer smaller classes where you’ll be taught personally by professors, this is the place for you. For non-traditional students, you’ll be treated with respect in a safe place that allows you to study. Remember, it’s never too late to learn.
What do you like most about your career?
I have the opportunity to work with art close up and personal. Planning and executing an exhibition is a unique experience that allows me to spend a tremendous amount of time with works of art and the artists who create them. I enjoy working with the artists and assisting them in the presentation of their artistic visions. I find that my colleagues in other academic galleries and museums are generous in sharing ideas and insights as we work on ways to improve our program. Most importantly, working in an academic gallery, free from the constraints of commodifying art, allows me to present intellectually rich works of art to our students. It is extremely rewarding to watch as students discover a new ways to enrich their lives.
How do you help students at A&M-Commerce?
My primary goal as the Art Gallery Director is to provide students with a robust variety of visual experiences. Bringing in local to internationally known artists allows students the opportunity to experience the world outside of rural Northeast Texas. For many students, attending events in our four galleries on campus will be their first time to experience art in person. I encourage students to talk with the artists while in the gallery viewing the work. Imagine seeing art in person for the very first time and speaking with the artist about their work! I get chills just thinking about awakening our students to view the world in a new way. Two programs that are near and dear to me are the Artist Couples Series and the Art Walks. Every third semester, the Artist Couples Series offers students the opportunity to meet and talk with creative couples who work and thrive in the arts. The Art Walk is held during the Fall and Spring semesters. It’s an evening where the four galleries are open to visitors to gallery hop and look at contemporary art, talk to artists, enjoy refreshments, mingle with fellow students from a variety of disciplines, and meet campus community and regional community members.
Tell us about a project you are currently working on or recently completed
Consistent themes in my work are geometry and the notion of time. My most recent body of work is centered on patterns, colors, and textures. They transcend culture and communicate understanding through time. Much of what we know of ancient civilizations is derived from the geometric marks created on ceramic artifacts. I am interested in how we, as humans, create a pattern in an attempt to make order out of chaos visually and intellectually.
Educational Background
- Post-Grad, University of Dallas, 2008-2009
- M.A., Art, University of Dallas, 2007
- B.F.A, Ceramics, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2006
- A.A., Arts and Sciences, Eastfield College, 2002
Academic Positions
- University Exhibitions Coordinator, Arts, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2014-Present
- Art Gallery Director, Arts, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2013–Present
- Associate Faculty, Arts, Collin College, 2008-2013
Awards and Honors
- Arts Faculty Exhibition, Gallery 219, Mesquite Arts Center, 2020
- Arts Alumni Exhibition, Gallery 219, Eastfield College, 2019
Related News
Community Invited to Art Walk 2023 at Texas A&M University-Commerce
What’s more delightful than a leisurely stroll through campus on a crisp October evening, immersing yourself in art galleries and savoring refreshments? Mark your calendars for Art Walk 2023 on Wednesday, October 18, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Texas A&M University-Commerce in Commerce, Texas. During Art Walk 2023, the Department of Art will open […]