spotlight
Out side the Box ariston jacks
H
ow Ariston Jacks the Graphic Arts Design Lab on produces his campus. “I bugged Mr. Clifton creations may be I know,” Jacks said. “I stayed in futuristic, but how the classroom all day learning he lives is simplistic, embracing how to work freehand. I would life, music and art. Jacks says stay after hours with Mr. Clifton by donna mooney | photos by brian t. williams that he‘s more comfortable doing giving me advice and pointers.” artwork than he is doing most Jacks added that this was a good other tasks. For example, he’s a learning experience for him and cyclist, photographer and a former college instructor. In person seeing the logo now makes him proud. Jacks gave the University and by telephone, he exudes a calm persona of one who is wiser its logo and the University instilled in him a desire to travel. than his years and who has an unquenchable quest for life. Not If he could, Jacks said he would live in Africa six months just everyday life, but the life you don’t see behind the scenes. of the year. He began traveling to Africa a several years ago The kind of life that makes a man give away all of his furniture, while working as a documentary photographer for a non-profit including his television, and start all over again, devoting his agency. This past summer he was in Senegal, Africa. “I love life to the love of art, family and his fellow man. That is Ariston Africa’s history, artwork and jewelry,” Jacks said. “During that Jacks outside the box. last trip I was drawn toward the sculptures and jewelry designs. In 1998, Jacks became the student of the hour and campus I’m grateful for the opportunity to travel, and I believe it has hero when he provided the new logo for the University of been one of many major accomplishments in my life.” Arkansas at Pine Bluff. The announcement to find a new logo The first trip to Africa changed Jacks’ perspective on life, came when UAPB received the halting news that its former logo he said. “It caused me to view success differently. I met artists was similar to Auburn University’s, and UAPB had to create a who were able to pick up and travel where they needed to go new one - fast. Jacks, a UAPB art major, seized the opportunity to pursue their passion. Some people view success as a six and within a short amount of time, created the fierce, red-eyed bedroom house with four bathrooms. I view success as the UAPB golden lion logo seen today on almost everything UAPB ability to take care of my financial responsibilities and still be including t-shirts and license plates. Jacks graduated from able to do what I enjoy doing.” UAPB with honors in 2002, and went on to receive a master’s In 2006, following that Africa tour, he sold all of his furniture, degree in art from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. moved out of an ample apartment and gave up his separate From 2008 to 2010, he taught in the UAPB Art Department. art studio. Since then, he has divided his current 650 sq. ft. “I remember listening to a Saturday morning radio talk loft apartment into his home/studio. Eventually, he said he show when of the UAPB athletic officials made the request,” would like to have 1,200 to 1,500 square ft. apartment with 40 Jacks said. “That (following) Monday morning, I went to talk ft. ceilings for his art work. Now, every summer he leaves the to Tom Clifton - UAPB graphics design teacher, Henri Linton country. For the past seven years, he has traveled to Eastern – UAPB Art Department director and Coach Lee Hardman. I Europe and Africa, for at least two to three weeks at a time. His believed I could do it.” At the time, Jacks was a first-time college frequent national travels include New York, Boston, St. Louis, student fresh out of the U.S. Navy and in need of a job. “I had Dallas and Houston. been doing odd jobs around town by selling my hand-drawn His 12-year-old daughter, Erin Maxine, is why he is illustrations for t-shirt designs. I was doing pretty good until committed to remain stateside a little longer. “I realized at one clip art came out.” point that I could not downsize completely because I needed a Jacks said he sketched a few logo designs and worked on it in place for my daughter to call home when she visits me,” Jacks
30
PRIDE Magazine • University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff