ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON https://spotted.iupui.edu/
When Greg Hull came to Indianapolis in 1997, he envisioned staying for only a few years before taking his skills and profession to a bigger city. Now, 24 years later, he never expected he would become dean of the Herron School of Art + Design and that IUPUI would have such an impact on his life -- and vice versa.
Art has taken him on a wild journey around the country. From the time Hull was in the sixth grade in Richmond, Ind., he knew art was something he wanted to pursue.
Growing up with his mom as a painter and living in an environment that supported the growth of art, Hull was constantly drawing and sculpting pieces together.
His passion led him to the Kansas City Art Institute to complete his undergraduate degree and then on to the University of Delaware for a master’s degree in fine arts. His studio work and interests include interactive and time-based pieces, specifically with light and sound. His work is placed all around the country in galleries, museums and universities.
"I create these spaces where the audience can enter and be fully immersed," he said. "To me, success in a given piece is the duration of the conversation I can build with the audience. How much the space would impact the audience, and even when the work was gone, how it would forever change the individual's experience."
While he is constantly creating art, it was the teaching he did in grad school that kick-started where he is today. Throughout his art school experience, he had nothing but great mentors and wanted to reciprocate that help.
"Teaching became a big part of my art passion too," he said. "It is a way to give back, grow and learn. It is also really important to be an artist during that process and have an active, professional practice. To let the students know that we are artists, too, and not just educators."
He went on to teach in the sculpture department at Kansas City Art Institute and then found himself in Indianapolis as an adjunct professor at Herron. He later became the fine arts department chair and a full-time professor.
But this teaching experience was different than before. Hull found himself inspired by the students at Herron and was continuously wowed by their dedication.
"Teaching to me has been really exciting and really rewarding," he said. "IUPUI has just a phenomenal sense of community with the campus, and particularly with this program. For me, it is getting to engage students and these activities that go beyond the studio."
During his days of teaching, he would often pop into the studio late at night and early in the morning to find students vigorously working on their pieces. Students would await Hull's arrival because they knew he would give them the best advice and tips to succeed.
"Sometimes I would worry about the work students would be doing prior to a critique, prior to a really important deadline, and then be just so blown away and pleased that students exceeded my expectations," he said. "Having students take the work seriously and push themselves beyond the level that I was pushing them was rewarding."
When Hull was asked to take over as interim dean, it was a no-brainer. There was a change within the department that happened quickly and colleagues at Herron knew Hull was the right one for this position.
"I was happy to take on the role because I had the support of the faculty and staff," he said. "I have been here a long time, and I have a good history with everyone. I have always been committed to Herron being a place that is a school for everyone."
As Hull moves into his first full in-person year as dean, he has goals for Herron and wants to keep the success of every student as his top priority. He believes IUPUI has an excellent community and there is an opportunity to build something bigger here.
"Above everything else, I want to be an advocate for the students and faculty," he said. "Doing everything I can to help people be successful in their roles."
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