A St. Edward’s University
Photocommunications
Student Exhibition
FOREWORD
INTRODUCTION
by Joe Nick Patoski
As the guest curator of Texas High School Football: More Than the Game, an exhibit at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, I have had the privilege to delve into a contemporary and historic subject that defines Texas and Texans. The sport and the activities and rituals that surround it are not unique to the state and its people. It’s just that Texans do it better and with more emphasis than anyone else. For most of my career as a writer, I have looked at Texas’ culture and what separates us as a people from other places. High school football is one of those definitive activities that can involve the entire community, from the players, marching band members and cheerleaders to parents, teachers, relatives, friends, colleagues, fans and strangers. In the early stages of preparing the exhibit, I received a copy of BK Magazine, Bill Kennedy’s self-published collection of high school football-related signage and images he documented on travels around the state. He got what I like to think I got: high school football isn’t just a game; it defines community. After several conversations we came up with a plan: get eight of Bill’s photography students at St. Edward’s University involved in the project in order to capture the ritual of Texas high school football in the here and now. Throughout the summer and fall of 2010, Kennedy’s students fanned out around the state to document football players, coaches, bands, cheerleaders, mascots, dancers and other participants in the Friday night pageantry. Each student chose specific subjects and delved into them, demonstrating their insight, perspective and expertise. Some chose to return to their own high schools. Others explored new territory and found interesting subjects where they least expected them. Many of the images will be displayed at the Bullock museum as part of a student exhibit, Fridays in Focus. Some will be incorporated into the larger exhibit, demonstrating through photographs the power of community. The partnership between St. Edward’s University and the Bullock museum, the students and their instructor, and between Bill and me has proven invaluable, once again underscoring the basic truth that Texas high school football is more than a game. It’s a culture-defining experience that helps us all to better understand and appreciate Texas and Texans.
Over the past three decades the St. Edward’s University Photocommunications program has matured into a premier undergraduate major, preparing students for successful careers with real-world experiences that extend far beyond the classroom. This catalog of work – Fridays in Focus – exemplifies the program’s highly regarded faculty and curriculum and the exclusive learning opportunities available to students at St. Edward’s. A memorandum of agreement between St. Edward’s University and The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum opened the door for our students to have their work evaluated by guest curator, Joe Nick Patoski and other professional curatorial staff. Ultimately more than 40 student images were included in the museum’s main exhibit – Texas High School Football: More Than the Game. In addition to this experience, an installation of student-only work was exhibited in the museum. As a result of this project, photocommunications students learned how professional artists manage careers and promote their work. Students worked with high school principals, coaches, parents, students, museum curatorial staff and professional designers and writers. Students learned how real-world projects take shape as they photographed, edited, printed the exhibition and produced the work in this publication. As part of the university’s commitment to quality educational experiences, faculty will continue to develop similar projects for photocommunications students. Combined with our study abroad programs and the St. Edward’s University campus in Angers, France, we are looking forward to training the next generation of successful image makers with a global perspective. Through experiences like these, St. Edward’s University graduates are prepared for a working career in their field and are competitive for admission to top-tier graduate programs. We hope you enjoy the images, creativity and emotion of the pages within.
Louis T. Brusatti Dean of the School of Humanities St. Edward’s University
Joe Nick Patoski Writer, Historian, Texan 2
by Louis T. Brusatti
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F R I D AY S I N F O C U S
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Allison Crain Allison graduated from Antonian College Preparatory High School in San Antonio, Texas, and is a junior photocommunications major. Her career goals are evolving. “This experience taught me to never say no to anything outside of my comfort zone. I went into the project with much hesitation about shooting athletics. Now, here I am, seven months later, absolutely loving sports photography. This helped me understand that I am not always fully aware of what I do and do not like, not only in photography, but in everyday life.�
Heroes Stadium, San Antonio, Texas
Barry Field, Hondo, Texas
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ALLISON CRAIN
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F R I D AY S I N F O C U S
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Benson Stadium, San Antonio, Texas
Sanderson, Texas
Ferrara Stadium, San Antonio, Texas Heroes Stadium, San Antonio, Texas
Heroes Stadium, San Antonio, Texas
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ALLISON CRAIN
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Christian Ryan Criswell
Christian is from Houston, Texas, was home schooled, and is a junior in the Photocommunications program. She is planning on a career in photojournalism and a position on a newspaper photography staff. “I learned that Texas high school football is more about the experience than the actual game, and it can be quite enjoyable!�
Heroes Stadium, San Antonio, Texas
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ALLISON CRAIN
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House Park Stadium, Austin, Texas
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F R I D AY S I N F O C U S
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Burger Stadium, Austin, Texas
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C hristian R yan C ris w e ll
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Burger Stadium, Austin, Texas
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F R I D AY S I N F O C U S
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Burger Stadium, Austin, Texas
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C hristian R yan C ris w e ll
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Briley Dockery Briley graduated from Tascosa High School in Amarillo, Texas, and is a sophomore in the Photocommunications program. Her career ambitions include photographing people, documentary photography and book making. “I discovered that I am a bigger fan of six-man football than I originally thought. Because I traveled frequently during the project, I learned the value of taking time to stop, look and shoot (even if I was in a hurry). Many of my best photographs were made during the drive from Austin to Amarillo.�
Amarillo, Texas
Holy Cross Mustangs, Clarendon, Texas
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B ril e y D oc k e ry
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Amarillo, Texas
Clarendon, Texas
Brenham Hohlt Park, Brenham, Texas
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Indian Stadium, Quanah, Texas
Amarillo, Texas
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Megan Ewert Megan graduated from Clear Lake High School in Seabrook, Texas, and is a junior in the Photocommunications program. She is working toward a career as a studio photographer concentrating on advertising. “This project gave me the opportunity to look at things I was very familiar with from a different perspective and to realize how much personal history can influence what I photograph.”
All Photos: Veteran’s Memorial Stadium, League City, Texas
Dick Blevens Stadium, Amarillo, Texas
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B ril e y D oc k e ry
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F R I D AY S I N F O C U S
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M E G A N EWE R T
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F R I D AY S I N F O C U S
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M E G A N EWE R T
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Rebecca Kinnison Rebecca graduated from John B. Connally High School in Austin, Texas, and is a photocommunications senior. Her ambition is to become an editorial photographer and work for magazines. “I cannot count the number of things I’ve learned from this project — from working on an assignment from scratch, to shooting, to editing the final photographs. What I found most valuable was the opportunity to gain real-world experience.”
Shockley Stadium, Johnson City, Texas
Shockley Stadium, Johnson City, Texas
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REBECCA KINNISON
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F R I D AY S I N F O C U S
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Connally Stadium, Austin, Texas
Bobcat Stadium, Comfort, Texas
Connally High School, Austin, Texas
Connally Stadium, Austin, Texas
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REBECCA KINNISON
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Shockley Stadium, Johnson City, Texas
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F R I D AY S I N F O C U S
Connally High School, Austin, Texas
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Megan Russell Megan graduated from Fredericksburg High School in Fredericksburg, Texas, and is a senior communication major with a minor in photocommunications. “Through this project I learned that there is art in everything. Even a subject as commercially traditional as high school football can be photographed in a unique and artistic way.”
Battlin’ Billie Stadium, Fredericksburg, Texas
Temple, Texas
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REBECCA KINNISON
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Fredericksburg High School, Fredericksburg, Texas
Battlin’ Billie Stadium, Fredericksburg, Texas
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MEGAN RUSSELL
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Battlin’ Billie Stadium, Fredericksburg, Texas
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MEGAN RUSSELL
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Gabriel Helio Sanchez Gabriel graduated from Allen D. Nease High School in Ponte Vedra, Florida, and is a photocommunications senior. He plans to continue his study of photography in graduate school and pursue a career as a commercial photographer. “One thing I gained through this project is an appreciation for the high school pride that transcends generations. Not only does this pride motivate the spirit of the team, but the entire town.�
All Photos: Lion Stadium, Lockhart, Texas
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G abri e l H e lio S anch e z
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G abri e l H e lio S anch e z
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Hill Taylor White Hill graduated from Alexander Smith Academy in Houston, Texas, and is a junior photocommunications major. He is interested in broadcast media and anticipates doing documentary and editorial photography after graduating. “Most of my high school experience was outside Texas. Seeing how football shapes small town Texas, and how the football season brings a community together was a huge eye opener for me.�
Chaparral Stadium, Westlake High School, Westlake, Texas
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G abri e l H e lio S anch e z
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Giddings, Texas
Giddings, Texas
House Park, Austin, Texas
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H I L L TAY L O R W H I T E
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Houston, Texas
Delmar Stadium, Houston, Texas
House Park, Austin, Texas
House Park, Austin, Texas
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H I L L TAY L O R W H I T E
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AFTERWORD
by Professor Bill Kennedy
Educating the next generation of professional photographers is a rewarding and complicated process. Photographers today must know more and be capable of doing more. Their educational journey includes traditional photography, digital imaging (still and video), new media and the business of photography. To be successful in the job market and to gain acceptance to graduate school, students must possess a well-developed understanding of their cultural role as visual communicators. They need a well-trained eye and an intellect for sophisticated problem solving. This comprehensive visual education would not be possible without the substantial commitment and support of the St. Edward’s University administration, staff and faculty. It is a continuing privilege to be a member of this learning community. I am indebted to Father Louis Brussati, dean of the School of Humanities, for his enthusiastic support and to Sister Donna Jurick, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, for providing funding for this publication. A special thanks is due to the St. Edward’s University Marketing Office for the catalogue design and print supervision, web presence and media campaign that supported the project. I am grateful to the staff and administration of the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum for this singular opportunity to expand our students’ educational process off campus and into communities across Texas. They provided a unique opportunity for our students to work with professionals in the field and to exhibit in one of the premier Texas museums. I also want to thank the Texas High School Football: More Than the Game guest curator, Joe Nick Patoski. Joe Nick saw the potential for involving St. Edward’s, provided valuable information and critical feedback to the students and graciously took time from a crowded schedule to provide the introductory essay for this catalogue. Lastly, I want to thank the eight dedicated and talented students who participated in this project: Allison Crain, Christian Ryan Criswell, Briley Dockery, Megan Ewert, Rebecca Kinnison, Megan Russell, Gabriel Helio Sanchez and Hill Taylor White. Collectively they traveled thousands of miles from East Texas to the Panhandle and made many outstanding images. Working with them was a privilege.
COLOPHON Fridays in Focus is published by St. Edward’s University and generously supported by the Vivian L. Smith Foundation. Printing by Capital Printing Co. in Austin, Texas Typefaces used in this book: Interstate Condensed and Gunplay Regular Design by Joanie Cahill Cover photo by Jessica Attie ’04 (Photocommunications)
Bill Kennedy Professor of Photocommunications St. Edward’s University
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AFTERWORD
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