HCU’s Tiffany Bergeron inspires through art and education.
It all started with a 鈥淪tarry Night鈥� when, at the age of five, 麻豆视频鈥檚 Tiffany Bergeron was captivated by Van Gogh鈥檚 swirling masterpiece.
Fast forward a few decades, Bergeron鈥檚 artistic prowess is undeniable. Her work has graced prestigious galleries and museums, from the serene halls of the Museum of Biblical Art to the bustling art scene of Houston. Her paintings, prints and sculptural jewelry are like little bursts of magic, capturing the beauty of nature and the depths of human emotion.
Bergeron鈥檚 talents aren鈥檛 confined to the studio. She鈥檚 a master of the classroom, inspiring young minds and nurturing their creative spirits. She鈥檚 a dynamic blend of creativity, skill and passion, dedicated to both her art and her students. As the Chair of the Department of Visual Arts at HCU, she鈥檚 a unique force, designing innovative online courses, creating interdisciplinary programs and mentoring countless students.
But it all began with Van Gogh. Bergeron recalls her first impression of 鈥淪tarry Night.鈥� 鈥淭he intensity of the colors and active use of line and texture mesmerized me,鈥� she recalls. 鈥淚t was magical that someone could create something beautiful and visually powerful that others can experience and connect to with only paint and a brush. The desire to create something meaningful and beautiful grew in my heart, and in that one moment, I developed a love and passion for art.鈥�
In grade school, she always chose art as her elective. In junior high, she won a top award at the Youth Art Month State Competition sponsored by the Texas Art Education Association. This honor, coupled with the encouragement of her art teacher, solidified her passion for creating and studying art.
Bergeron graduated from HBU (now HCU) with a BA in Art and Marketing and continued her education at Sam Houston State University, earning a BFA in Painting. She credits her teachers and professors for their encouragement and support, which inspired her to pursue a teaching certification.
She began her career in education in 2003, in a world far away from HCU, teaching Art and Computer Literacy to at-risk students at a Title I junior high school. There she learned the importance of building relationships with her pupils. 鈥淢y young students had immense hardships and difficulties they had to overcome, and school was not their focus or, in some cases, a priority at all,鈥� she recalls.
Faced with hunger, lack of basic needs or minimal parental support, her students often struggled with distractions, anger, and the effects of drugs, abuse, pregnancy and gang issues. In her first year of teaching, she tragically lost a student to suicide.
Inspired to create a safe and peaceful environment, she realized that increasing student engagement and building trust would help them grow and reach their full potential. The impulse behind Bergeron鈥檚 approach was a simple 鈥渢ime equals love.鈥�
Acting on this impulse, she attended student basketball games and extracurricular activities, and invested in their lives by sponsoring Student Council, Pep Squad, Culture Club, Book Club and Art Club. 鈥淭he time we spent together built safe, trusting relationships that extended into the classroom, fostering a community where students felt valued and capable of success.鈥�
鈥淓ncouraging words and dependent relationships empower students to pursue their dreams,鈥� she says. 鈥淎s their confidence grew, they developed the courage and resilience to tackle challenges both in art and in life.鈥�
After several years of teaching at Washington Junior High, Bergeron pursued a Master of Liberal Arts from HCU with a focus on Art History. She then began working at HCU as an adjunct professor, teaching Art Appreciation, Art History and Art Education. While teaching, she earned her MFA in Studio Art at HCU and became a certified Clinical and Intern Supervisor for the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences.
鈥淎s a faculty member at 麻豆视频, I feel privileged to be a part of an amazing group of artists and professors, while being able to share my love of art and teaching with my students,鈥� she says.
Over the past seven years, she has served as Interim Dean for the School of Fine Arts, developed the first interdepartmental program at HCU (Graphic Design), created an online Art History and Studio Art Certificate in all five studio art disciplines, and served as the Undergraduate and Graduate MFA Studio Art Program Coordinator for the Department of Visual Arts.
In addition, she has created and exhibited her work both nationally and internationally. Her art has been featured in numerous juried exhibitions, including 鈥淩ising Eyes of Texas鈥� and the 鈥淎ssistance League of Houston,鈥� and she received the Merit Award for the 鈥淧hoto 15 Exhibit鈥� at The Berkeley Art Council.
鈥淢y mixed media paintings and printmaking are inspired by the patterns and shapes found in nature,鈥� Tiffany explains. 鈥淭he Museum of Biblical Art in Dallas, Texas, selected my mixed media painting, 鈥淭he Barred Owl,鈥� for their permanent collection, recognizing its themes of nature and God鈥檚 creation. Another mixed media painting, 鈥淭he Nest,鈥� is part of the permanent collection of Ground Zero 360鈥檚 traveling 9/11 exhibition.鈥�
Bergeron was honored to chair the committee that brought the 鈥淕round Zero 360 Remembrance鈥� exhibit to the HCU campus, filling the University Academic Center building and contemporary galleries with art and artifacts commemorating the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks to honor the victims and inspire hope.
As a passionate educator and talented artist, Bergeron has mentored countless students who have gone on to make significant contributions to the art world.
So, the next time you see a stunning piece of art or meet a talented young artist, remember that Tiffany Bergeron might have played a role in their journey.