Dr. Wade Weast has been named the founding dean of the new college. “The creation of this college elevates the arts at the university and as a result arts majors will see their public perfor-mances, exhibitions and film screenings become more visible on our large and diverse campus,” Weast said. “Georgia State’s increasing number of residential students will enjoy the benefits of a more robust collection of on-campus public performances, exhibitions and film screenings. The college will partner with the university and the City of Atlanta in making downtown a more enjoyable place to live, work and study. Our college will foster a heightened focus on entrepreneurship, creativity and collaboration.”

Georgia State University’s College of the Arts, which will officially open in July 2017, will include the School of Music, the Welch School of Art and Design, the film and theater component from the Department of Communication, the Center for Collaborative and International Arts and the Center for Educational

College of the ArtsGeorgia State University55 Park Place, Suite 910Atlanta, GA 30303

“I'm really committed to professionalism. I think it's a big deal.”

“Figure out unique ways to make things work. Be nice.”

Her work could be consid-ered a combination of separate genres, but it can be categorized into documentary and fiction. She recreates indeterminate religious imagery with commonplace locations such as residential and urban environments, but have depth that reveal deeper

theistic meanings in today’s society. Her technical manipulation of her large format Linhof film camera is only surpassed by her inexplica-ble way of turning relatable areas and people into backdrops and models.

Visit Jill’s website http://jill--frank.com JILL FRANK

Can you tell us little bit about yourself ? 

I moved to Atlanta in 2011 to teach in the Welch Art Department, before that, I lived in Chicago and New York, where I worked in the commercial photography industry.

What made you want to move to Georgia? Was it for work-related?

I was living in Chicago about six years ago, and this job opened up. So, I applied for it. So, that’s what got me to move here.

What do you like to do in your free time?I like lakes and mountains a lot, and sporty things.

What makes photography interesting to you?

I think photographs can seal our ideas about something.Photographs can make our memories permanent, and to be able to work with people to challenge sedimented stories or ideas by reenacting them. I like working with people. I'm very beholden to the portrait for better for worse.

What type of photography do you do primarily?

I make alot of work about the function of photo-graphs. How they work in the world and how important they are. Sort of a mix with documentary and fiction. I was doing alot of work with reenact-ment. I tend to work within documentary tradition, but there’s an element where everything is filtered and sort of performed because I use a very slow camera ,and because the camera is so slow, I can't capture moments the way a street photographer could.

What kind of camera are you using currently?

I still shoot film. It's large format. It's tripod-bound. It's just really slow. I use a Linhof right now. Yeah, I use a Linhof Technika IV. It's a really sweet old camera.

What types of professional experiences do you have that may or may not be on your resume?

My professional experiences, I've worked for alot of artists and alot of editorial work that I don't think end up on my resume that I don't really talk about that much, but it's really fun you know to see what is

happening in the editorial commercial world. It's something that would be very hard to do full-time unless you're in a bigger probably Metropolis. I think there's people who do it here, but most people that are freelance photographers who did it are in bigger cities.

What does your teaching process consist of ?

I have a heavy teaching load. That's what lectures have. I learn things through repetition and by example then I teach that way as well. If I had been

allowed to always have an excuse, I don't think I would know how to problem solve as well. I really work through these things quickly. It may be strict, but it's also trying to be a good teacher. 

How do you define good teaching? What does it mean to you?

I'm very hands on, and I think my classes are hard because I think hard work is a really important part of learning. You figure out how to problem solve and you do your best.

How do you like being an instructor at Georgia State?

I really like teaching here, and I say that very sincerely. I've taught at four other schools, and I've never had the type of students that I have here. People are really receptive, and excited about opportunities that just require interest and motiva-tion. I love the diversity, I love the weather. So, I really enjoy teaching here.

I've worked in alot of schools and I've never worked with better people. Everyone who is here wants to be here. No one is clocking in. The teachers are not doing this for money or fame. They're here because they want to be here, and it makes teaching really fun. I really like the people I work with. They're so supportive.  Georgia State plays a really big part in my own work as well. 

If you could give your students any advice, what would you tell them?

Stick with it. Rejection is normal, it doesn’t mean you stop doing what you want to do. Figure out unique ways to make things work. Be nice.

By: Taylor Bush

About the AuthorTaylor Bush is a Graphic Design major at Georgia State University. He is a freelance photographer in Atlanta, GA. His main focus is Commercial Architectural.