Jack Lew—Alumnus, 1966
“My advice to you is to accept this gift, always be aware of it, and when the world is at its worst, use it to lift your spirits and the spirits of those around you.”
The Inside Story
I emigrated from China to Kansas at the age of eight, a shy kid who spoke not one word of English. Fortunately, I had two talents that got me through my childhood years: I could run fast and I could draw. While sports played an important part of my school years, it was through my art that I discovered my inner gift. Although I was always encouraged by teachers and cited for my drawing and painting abilities, it wasn’t until I reached college that I realized my gift went beyond my technical skills. The artist (whether a painter or writer) sees and processes the world differently from others. I remember one autumn day when I was sketching in a maple grove on the outskirts of Cleveland. The vibrant fall colors were ablaze swirling in the cool breeze. A single leaf gently lighted on my shoulder. The beauty of that moment so captivated me that it drew me to tears. I still have that leaf taped inside my old sketchbook. Many years later, I journeyed back to China to revisit a city where I had lived as a child. As the taxi rolled down the dusty pavement, passing gray buildings and faceless throngs, an overwhelming sadness suddenly overtook me and I started to sob. The bleakness of the scene and the longing for something lost, were more than I could contain. My local escort stared at my tear-streaked face, bewildered. I didn’t bother to explain; what would I say?
As artists and writers, we have a gift that enables us to see the world in a unique way. This is what sets us apart. This gift is also a responsibility that we have to nourish and develop. My advice to you is to accept this gift, always be aware of it, and when the world is at its worst, use it to lift your spirits and the spirits of those around you. I think you know what I mean.
Current Status
As Global University Relations Manager at Electronic Arts, I am responsible for developing talent pipelines with the top art schools and universities throughout the world. Electronic Arts (EA) is the world's leading independent developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for personal computers and advanced entertainment systems such as the PlayStation®2 Computer Entertainment System, the PlayStation®, Xbox™ video game console from Microsoft, the Nintendo GameCube™ and the Game Boy® Advance. My job takes me into numerous art school classrooms where I meet with enthusiastic and talented art students who want to be part of this dynamic (and very hip) industry.
Jack joined Alliance Executive Director, BJ Adler to discuss what creative economic sector companies need for their future workforce at the Arts Education Forum in Charleston, South Carolina in October 2005.
Career Path/Artistic Path
My professional career began with an internship at Hallmark Cards after my junior year at the Cleveland Institute of Art. The internship provided me an inside look at how artists work in a professional arena. Valuable experience—but I decided that I ultimately wanted to teach, and upon receiving my MFA from Syracuse University, I taught for eight years at the Memphis Academy of Arts (now named Memphis College of Art). Those were among the most exciting years for me, both as a teacher and as an artist. Everything was new—the gallery scene, the politics of teaching and I was scared to death that someone would discover that I really didn’t know what I was doing! I was 27 and several of my students were older than me. (Fortunately, no one discovered my secret.) After establishing the Illustration program there, I took on the challenge of developing an Illustration program at the Kansas City Art Institute which grew from 12 majors to 104 during my 16 years there as professor and department head. Leaving academia and all my incredible students was a tough decision, but what a great adventure I had at Disney Feature Animation! As Manager of Artist and Professional Development, I was responsible for all educational and enrichment initiatives for the studio staff. This Florida studio produced memorable hits such as Mulan, Lilo and Stitch and Brother Bear. While I did not artistically work on these films, I was interacting daily with the best directors, animators, designers and painters in the world, plus I kept my hand in teaching through the various classes. I have a feeling that one day I will return to teaching because I think I am a teacher at heart. For now, the entertainment industry keeps me hopping and when I can play a part in directing a student’s first career, the reward is tremendous.
Exhibitions/Awards
I have exhibited my ink drawings in numerous public and private galleries in Kansas City, Dallas, Houston and Memphis.
Award History
Exhibitions/Awards
“My advice to you is to accept this gift, always be aware of it, and when the world is at its worst, use it to lift your spirits and the spirits of those around you.”
The Inside Story
I emigrated from China to Kansas at the age of eight, a shy kid who spoke not one word of English. Fortunately, I had two talents that got me through my childhood years: I could run fast and I could draw. While sports played an important part of my school years, it was through my art that I discovered my inner gift. Although I was always encouraged by teachers and cited for my drawing and painting abilities, it wasn’t until I reached college that I realized my gift went beyond my technical skills. The artist (whether a painter or writer) sees and processes the world differently from others. I remember one autumn day when I was sketching in a maple grove on the outskirts of Cleveland. The vibrant fall colors were ablaze swirling in the cool breeze. A single leaf gently lighted on my shoulder. The beauty of that moment so captivated me that it drew me to tears. I still have that leaf taped inside my old sketchbook. Many years later, I journeyed back to China to revisit a city where I had lived as a child. As the taxi rolled down the dusty pavement, passing gray buildings and faceless throngs, an overwhelming sadness suddenly overtook me and I started to sob. The bleakness of the scene and the longing for something lost, were more than I could contain. My local escort stared at my tear-streaked face, bewildered. I didn’t bother to explain; what would I say?
As artists and writers, we have a gift that enables us to see the world in a unique way. This is what sets us apart. This gift is also a responsibility that we have to nourish and develop. My advice to you is to accept this gift, always be aware of it, and when the world is at its worst, use it to lift your spirits and the spirits of those around you. I think you know what I mean.
Current Status
As Global University Relations Manager at Electronic Arts, I am responsible for developing talent pipelines with the top art schools and universities throughout the world. Electronic Arts (EA) is the world's leading independent developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for personal computers and advanced entertainment systems such as the PlayStation®2 Computer Entertainment System, the PlayStation®, Xbox™ video game console from Microsoft, the Nintendo GameCube™ and the Game Boy® Advance. My job takes me into numerous art school classrooms where I meet with enthusiastic and talented art students who want to be part of this dynamic (and very hip) industry.
Jack joined Alliance Executive Director, BJ Adler to discuss what creative economic sector companies need for their future workforce at the Arts Education Forum in Charleston, South Carolina in October 2005.
Career Path/Artistic Path
My professional career began with an internship at Hallmark Cards after my junior year at the Cleveland Institute of Art. The internship provided me an inside look at how artists work in a professional arena. Valuable experience—but I decided that I ultimately wanted to teach, and upon receiving my MFA from Syracuse University, I taught for eight years at the Memphis Academy of Arts (now named Memphis College of Art). Those were among the most exciting years for me, both as a teacher and as an artist. Everything was new—the gallery scene, the politics of teaching and I was scared to death that someone would discover that I really didn’t know what I was doing! I was 27 and several of my students were older than me. (Fortunately, no one discovered my secret.) After establishing the Illustration program there, I took on the challenge of developing an Illustration program at the Kansas City Art Institute which grew from 12 majors to 104 during my 16 years there as professor and department head. Leaving academia and all my incredible students was a tough decision, but what a great adventure I had at Disney Feature Animation! As Manager of Artist and Professional Development, I was responsible for all educational and enrichment initiatives for the studio staff. This Florida studio produced memorable hits such as Mulan, Lilo and Stitch and Brother Bear. While I did not artistically work on these films, I was interacting daily with the best directors, animators, designers and painters in the world, plus I kept my hand in teaching through the various classes. I have a feeling that one day I will return to teaching because I think I am a teacher at heart. For now, the entertainment industry keeps me hopping and when I can play a part in directing a student’s first career, the reward is tremendous.
Exhibitions/Awards
I have exhibited my ink drawings in numerous public and private galleries in Kansas City, Dallas, Houston and Memphis.
Award History
- Tuition Scholarship to Cleveland Institute of Art, 1966
- Valedictorian, Cleveland Institute of Art, 1971
- Agnes Gund Traveling Fellowship, Cleveland Institute of Art, 1971
- Otto Ege Award for Intellectual Achievement, Cleveland Institute of Art, 1971
- Full Teaching Assistantship, Syracuse University, 1971-1973
Exhibitions/Awards
- Trustee Member, Orlando Chamber of Commerce, 2004—Current Curriculum Advisor, Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy, University of Central Florida, 2004-Current
- Advisory Board, T.I.M.E. Digital Arts Department, Cleveland Institute of Art, Current.
- Panelist, GAMES Synergy Conference, Orlando, February 2005
- Moderator, “Education of the Artist for the Future” EA Educators Summit, March 2005
- Freshmen Orientation Speaker, Ringling School of Art and Design, August 2004
- Industry Speaker, Alias Education Summit at Siggraph, August, 2005
- Breakout Speaker, Arts Education Partners Conference, “Training for the Creative Economy,” October 2005
- Keynote Speaker, Ohio Art Education Association, “Illustrating the Arts,” November 2005
- Gold Key Award, The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards of 1966: This was my first major art award. It affirmed for me, and my parents, that I had a special ability and that my work could compete nationally.
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