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APSU’s Barry Jones named dean of College of Arts and Letters

Barry Jones(Posted April 18, 2019)

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Barry Jones, former chair of the APSU Department of Art + Design, was recently named dean of the University’s College of Arts and Letters.

After earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts from APSU in 1995, Jones received his Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art: 3D Studies from the University of South Carolina. He went on to teach at Middle Georgia State University and Emory & Henry College before returning to his alma mater in 2005 as an assistant professor of art.

In addition to teaching, Jones is a talented artist working in digital media, and he has exhibited work in galleries and museums across the country, including the Asheville Art Museum, the Butler Institute of American Art, the Hunter Museum of Art and the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.

“During his time at Austin Peay, Barry Jones has used his talents as a creative and patient leader to help shine a national spotlight on this University,” Dr. Rex Gandy, APSU provost and vice president for academic affairs, said. “As a former student, he is committed to making sure new generations of Austin Peay students push themselves to succeed, and I am excited to see how he continues to transform the College of Arts and Letters.”

Jones has served in several leadership roles during his time at Austin Peay, including president of the faculty senate, a member of the Quality Enhancement Plan’s Executive Leadership Team and chair of several departmental committees. As an artist, he has delivered invited lectures at several schools and museums, including Flagler College in Florida, the University of Tennessee, the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design and the Frist Center for the Visual Arts. He also is part of the visual art duo Black & Jones, with Kell Black, APSU emeritus professor of art.

Jones is married to Jennifer Ford, and they have four children: Parker, Aidan, Hope and Elliott.

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