Today@Sam Article

Commencement Spotlight: Sidney Boyles

Dec. 4, 2023
SHSU Media Contact: Mikah Boyd

By Jaidin Shaw

Sidney Boyles
Spring, Texas
Bachelor of Art in Studio Arts

Choosing a degree by accident may seem impractical, but it’s how Sidney Boyles, a studio arts student, found her love for ceramics and sculpture.

In high school, Boyles was placed in a 3D art class instead of a painting class on accident, but ended up enjoying the class by the end of the year and even sought out the Sculpture Club to learn more. From then on, Boyles found a love for working with clay and even a niche for education.

“It got to a point that instead of the teacher showing new members how to throw on the wheel (a pottery term), she would point them in my direction and tell them I would teach them,” Boyles said on how she found interest in teaching.

After being informed of Sam Houston State University’s education and arts programs from her ceramics teacher, Boyles attended Saturday@Sam, a free program for prospective students and families to sample the university, to see if SHSU was an option for her after graduation. At the event, Boyles was able to hear Edie Wells, art education coordinator and associate professor of practice, speak about the Art Education track for a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA).

“I was instantly sold,” said Boyles. “I knew I wanted to further my knowledge in sculpture and ceramics, but I also wanted to take an education track in my degree, and this was the perfect blend.”

At SHSU, Boyles wasted no time earning her degree and then some.

In 2021, Boyles became a student member of the Texas Art Educators Association (TAEA), a group dedicated to art educators and administrators. This association hosts a conference each year that includes workshops and professional development. This came about after Boyles took a class from Wells, who was able to take a group of students to the conference in fall of 2021. This provided a wide range of opportunities for Boyles, including many jobs offers.

At her second conference, Boyles was asked to present over the Raku firing method, which is when glazed ceramics are taken from the kiln while still glowing red hot and placed in a material that could catch fire, and how to incorporate that method into a high school ceramic curriculum.

“Several of the attendees of my presentation were visual arts directors of districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area as well as members of the executive board of TAEA, who I was able to build relationships with,” Boyles said.

This year, Boyles received the TAEA’s Student of the Year award, which is given to students who contributed on a local, state and national level to the association and to art education.

When asked what she will miss most about her time as an SHSU student, Boyles talks about the Hoyt Art Complex and being able to use the ceramic and printmaking studios. This was where she met her best friend, Kaylee Suggs, the print making studio tech who helped push Boyles in her craft. Suggs also helped Boyles with Raku, something Boyles has been studying for over a year and a half, since the process requires two people.

Apart from Suggs, Boyles mentions how happy she was to build several lifelong friendships and relationships with mentors.

“I adore many of my professors that bettered me as a student and a person such as Edie Wells; Robert Maninger, professor in the College of Education; Tony Shipp, associate professor in The Department of Art; and Emily Peacock, photography program coordinator and assistant professor in The Department of Art,” Boyles said. “These professors genuinely care about their students and push them to improve in every way that they can.”

This January, Boyles will be starting her Master of Art Education at Texas Tech University and, after its completion, also plans to earn her Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics. Boyles mentions possibly getting a doctorate in the future, as well. After her master’s, Boyles would like to teach in the public school system, then upon gaining experience, venture into the collegiate level of teaching.

“I hope to explore more alternative firing methods as well as get into glass working. I also aspire to buy a home within the next two years and build an in-home ceramic studio that I will be able to work out of,” Boyles said about her five-year plan post-graduation.

Boyles will graduate on December 8, earning a BFA in Studio Art with a 3D concentration, a teaching certification and a minor in Art History. In the spring, while earning her Master of Education on the Texas Tech University online program, Boyles will be a substitute teacher in Richardson ISD in the north Dallas area. She also plans to teach ceramics, sculpture and art history at a high school level beginning in August 2024.

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