Sculpture garners international award for UH-Clear Lake student

HOUSTON, March 1, 2016 — University of Houston-Clear Lake sculpture student David Gonzalez was named a winner of the international 2016 NICHE Student Awards in January for his mixed-media piece “Sailing Dreams.”

Gonzalez, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at UH-Clear Lake, was selected from among more than 180 finalists and 1,600 submissions from the United States and Canada. The contest is sponsored by NICHE magazine, and winners are selected based on technical excellence and creative thought.

“Sailing Dreams” depicts a paper boat floating atop rolling clouds, and Gonzalez crafted the piece from wood and bronze as part of his UHCL studies.

Gonzalez, originally from Mexico, said the sculpture captures his feelings about gaining American permanent residency status in August 2014, an event he anticipated for 13 years.

“I tried to represent a sense of freedom,” he said. “I was free to pursue the American Dream.”

For Gonzalez, the airy imagery of the paper boat and cloud combine with the heavy mediums of wood and bronze to capture his identity as an artist with both lofty dreams, a firm foundation and a resilient spirit.

“I would always look up to the sky, the clouds, and wonder what it would be like to be up there,” he said. “But I’m still grounded.”

The artist’s academic career has been strongly shaped by teachers who encouraged and inspired him through Ross S. Sterling High School in Baytown, Lee College and finally UH-Clear Lake. While he originally studied graphic design, at UHCL he increasingly found himself drawn to traditional fine arts electives.

“I fell in love with sculpture and making things with my hands,” he said. “Once I got here, I felt it was the right place.”

Citing the positive impact of his professors at UHCL, Gonzalez intends to become a teacher himself. He currently works as a teaching assistant and substitute teacher, and he plans to pursue a graduate degree after he graduates in May so he can instruct college-level courses.

“Teachers have a lot to do with who you become,” he said. “You’re teaching students character and the ability to grow as a person. Art is all about being creative and learning from yourself.”

Beyond skills and insight into art, students also learn lessons about work ethic, commitment and the value of culture, he said.

“The community benefits from the arts, and we, as social beings, benefit from the arts,” Gonzalez said.

Assistant Professor of Art Jason Makepeace, program director of the UHCL Art and Design Program who serves as Gonzalez’ sculpture professor, said opportunities like the NICHE awards are important for young artists.

“You gain that experience of everything that needs to be done – completed artwork, documentation, an artist statement, having a resume up-to-date. It’s the beginning stages of prepping themselves to be professional artists,” he said. “David was successful because he’s been consistent in work ethic, learning process, learning materials and bringing his influence and inspiration to those processes and materials. He’s pushing himself to be ready to step out from school once he gets his degree to go after his career as an artist.”

Makepeace said he encourages his students to challenge themselves, ask questions and hone the skills that will serve them well in their careers.

For more information on the UHCL Art and Design Program, call the School of Human Sciences and Humanities, 281-283-3333, or email hshadvising@uhcl.edu.