News from Jack Reilly, FSA Art Alum:
I have a wealth of fond memories from my years at FSU (1974-1978) where I received both my BFA and MFA, studying primarily with Trevor Bell and Jim Roche. I graduated in December 1977 and was hired on the FSU art faculty as adjunct instructor in winter 1978, but I knew If I were to have a substantial career in art, I would probably have to leave Florida. I moved to Los Angeles in the Summer of 1978.
Well, a lot has transpired since that time, having established myself as an artist in the west coast art world as well as an academic in the California State University system, where I am currently Chair of the Art and Performing Arts Departments.
After working for California State University Northridge (north Los Angeles) for 15 years, in 2001, I was hired to participate in the establishment and building of a new university. As the founding faculty member in the area of Fine Arts at California State University Channel Islands (in Ventura county 45 miles north of L.A.), my charge was to lead and oversee the development of the Fine Arts areas and all related curriculum. Working in collaboration with administration and faculty of other disciplines, I developed the University’s interdisciplinary art curriculum and academic programs. In addition, I was solely responsible for designing the physical teaching facilities, working studios and computer labs for the various areas of the arts. At that time, CI was in the start-up mode as the newest university in the California State University system. Ten years later, the Departments I head are now among the largest programs at CI with over 325 majors, 28 faculty members and growing rapidly. At this point in time, the arts are among the most recognized and acclaimed programs at this University. Graduating students and teaching faculty in our program are active in numerous capacities in both the Los Angeles art scene and the Hollywood entertainment industry.
As an artist, I am a recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts grant and numerous other related awards. I have over 40 solo exhibitions under my belt and my paintings continues to be widely exhibited in galleries, universities and museums, and included in major public and private collections internationally, such as the Steve Martin Collection and the Fredrick Weisman Foundation, Los Angeles. I have executed major public site-specific art commissions for the County of San Diego, and American Airlines at Los Angeles International Airport.