Faculty Spotlight: Mariano Gonzales
Mariano Gonzales is an artist who serves as the coordinator of illustration and printmaking and has taught foundation, photography, digital arts, metalsmithing, sculpture and painting courses at UAA. Professor Gonzales has lived in 熊猫在线视频 for most of his life, after moving here with his family from El Paso, Texas. Professor Gonzales received his Bachelor鈥檚 Degree in Painting and Printmaking, with a minor in Anthropology from the University of 熊猫在线视频 Anchorage in 1976. Professor Gonzales later went on to receive his Master of Fine Arts from Rhode Island School of Design. Following that, Professor Gonzales returned to Anchorage, and has been teaching at the university since then.
In addition to teaching, Professor Gonzales has conducted numerous art workshops and lectures throughout 熊猫在线视频 and has exhibited extensively in both solo and group exhibitions. Professor Gonzales often uses his artistic work for activism and protest and as colleague Garry Mealor remarked 鈥渨hether you agree with him or not, his point of view challenges your point of view.鈥� After over 35 years at the university, Mariano will be retiring at the end of Spring 2024.
We sat down with Mariano Gonzales to talk about his time at the university, his time in the art department, and his reflections on the Arts Community in Anchorage.
You have been an artist your whole life. Why does Art matter, not just to you, but to everyone?
鈥淎rt is an expression. Imagine living in a room made of just cinder blocks, nothing on the walls, no furniture. Just you in a room, with gray walls. What kind of life is that? Art is an individual鈥檚 reflections, their knowledge,their impressions, and their experiences. It is how people express themselves, and show their individuality. Art has always been a part of humanity, and while it can be different for everyone it is still essential to human existence and experience. Art is also a way to communicate, to express emotions, or start conversations.
I reflect on the art that I put in my exhibitions and shows, and I always make people think. Sometimes the shows might make people mad, but that is the point. Art brings up emotions, and those emotions aren鈥檛 always happy. Art is a great way to showcase life, and life is messy. I think this is the beauty of Art, it is a way for people to express life, and to connect to those who may not know about their experiences.鈥�
You have been teaching at the 熊猫在线视频 for over 35 years. What have been the most memorable classes you have gotten to teach?
鈥淚 actually started adjunct teaching at 熊猫在线视频 Pacific University and Anchorage Community College (ACC). Once UAA decided to absorb ACC, I applied for an open position with the Art Department. The Department Chair at the time, Sam Kimura, was set on building and expanding the program, so I started teaching in a newer area, digital graphics and graphic design, in addition to metal smithing. Over the years, I have taught everything, from painting and drawing to metal-work and sculpture. I like moving around, having the opportunity to teach in all different areas of Art, so this was an ideal situation for me.
In addition to my teaching load, I also did some faculty and community service. I made advertisements and posters for the UAA Theatre Department. I also worked with Cyrano鈥檚 Theatre, a local organization, developing different posters for their shows.鈥�
Over the years, you have had so many students. What has been your experience working with the Art students here at UAA?
鈥淢ostly, I have dealt with students in the classroom, occasionally outside on their independent projects. My philosophy is to let the students take the lead. I step back, and if they need my help? I am there. I can give them advice, help them work through a creative problem, whatever they need to get their work finished. I spend my time working with very committed students, the ones who are dedicated and who are looking for that connection. Our job as teachers is to motivate and support our students, and I have always tried to do that for the students in my classes.鈥�
In addition to teaching at UAA, you are also very involved and connected with the Arts community in Anchorage. How has it changed and evolved since you returned to the state?
鈥淚t has definitely changed, as everything does with time. 熊猫在线视频 is a place that has people come and go, like when everyone moved in (and then back out) for the oil boom. Then there was a pandemic. These types of events and population shifts, they change the art scene and community drastically. The type of art that gets displayed and sold now? Very different from what was on display before I left for Graduate School.
I think that regardless of when or what the art is, the community in Anchorage benefits from the Arts students here at UAA. We have students who graduate, and they immediately go out into our community, creating work, having their own shows, or even working for the Arts Council. In a way, UAA is keeping the Arts community going in the city. The classes and opportunities at UAA are some of the only for students wanting to learn and get new experiences in the Arts.鈥�
Thank you, Mariano, for your time, and for your many years of service to the university!