Sculpting a Legacy
John and Linda Jensen Find Lifelong Creativity, Connection and Community Through Armstrong’s Art Department
“In those early days at Armstrong State University, we felt like we were on an adventure,” said John Jensen.
The meeting of art professors John and Linda Jensen was serendipitous. They didn’t know it at the time, but they were among more than 125 applicants vying for tenure-track positions at Armstrong. John, a graduate of the University of Arizona, and Linda, with degrees from the University of Memphis, had a lifelong calling for creating and teaching art.
Robert Burnett, then-president of Armstrong State, envisioned an art department with John and Linda leading the way. They began their journey in August 1985, with John teaching ceramics and Linda teaching photography and art education.
The Jensens met on the first day of orientation. It wasn’t long before they found in each other not just professional synergy but also an enduring personal connection.
“Linda took one look at me and she’s like, ‘This is the man for me,'” reminisced John.
“Yes I did,” laughed Linda. “Neither one of us had ever been married and our careers and our art were our lives. So we always say that Bob Burnett was responsible for our children.”
“Back in 1985, we had, including the two of us, three art faculty and about four students,” John said. “And I mean that literally. Nothing was perfect, but we loved it and we really felt appreciated. We knew they cared about us.”
In 35 and 30 years of teaching respectively, John and Linda have made a profound impact on their students. Many of Linda’s students are professional photographers and John has plenty of students who are doing well in the world of ceramics.
“A special joy for us is watching our former students succeed,” John said.
“It’s incredibly fulfilling to see our students thrive as artists,” Linda added. “Their success is our success.”
After ending their University careers — Linda retired in 2015 and John retired in 2020 — the couple embraced a new phase in their artistic lives.
John’s studio became a haven for his art and a welcoming space for art enthusiasts. Several galleries recognized the quality of his ceramics and paintings, and they are selling his works at a premium. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in Sculpture and traveled to several countries to give presentations on his work.
“Retirement for us was never about stopping,” he said. “It was about starting something new and exciting. We couldn’t stop creating because it’s in our blood.”
Linda continues her artistic journey through vibrant mixed-media creations. She explained, “My art is an expression of my soul. I love incorporating vivid beads and photographs into my pieces.” She infuses her art with a deeply personal touch, often crafting icons of her former students.
John and Linda occasionally collaborate on unique creations such as John’s ceramic lamps with Linda’s beautiful shades. Together, their art extends beyond their studios, reaching the community through active participation in fundraisers. John has contributed several pieces to area nonprofits and recently contributed to the Empty Bowl project for Emmaus House in Savannah.
Linda finds joy in gifting her creations to friends, family, former students and the wider community. “For me, art is meant to be shared,” she said.
Today, the art department at the Armstrong Campus carries the indelible mark left by the Jensens, and continues to produce excellent artists and creators. After more than four decades of artistic endeavors, the Jensens’ love for art and each other continues to inspire everyone they encounter. “Our story is far from over,” John said. “Art will always be a part of who we are.”
— Liz Walker