Briar Cliff Professor Says His Last Goodbyes Through Art

Before retiring, a professor presents his Contemporary Ceramic Vessels Exhibit in the Clausen Art Gallery at Briar Cliff University. 

Pottery is an artform Jeff Baldus, an art professor and practicing artist, uses to bring beauty into people's lives.  

“It’s an easy way for me to express myself, easier than words,” says Baldus. 

Baldus has been an art professor for 14 years at Briar Cliff. After the university got rid of the art major, Baldus and Nan Wilson, a retired assistant art professor, have been teaching adjunct classes such as design and pottery. 

“He is the best colleague I could ever have,” says Wilson. “He has been so supportive we have always collaborated on curriculum.” 

Wilson has worked with Baldus the entire time he has been at Briar Cliff. She is in the process of painting her second mural for campus and relies on Baldus’s feedback throughout the process.  

“We support one another's artwork,” says Wilson. “We trust one another's opinion.” 

“It’s been a lot of fun,” says Baldus. “Nan and I were here as students together, so we’ve known each other for many years. We have a lot of similar thoughts and ideas, she’s very easy to work with.” 

Briar Cliff is where Baldus learned how to perfect his art and still uses techniques that were taught to him 40 years ago. 

“I’ve always done functional work and emphasis on form and simplicity in the shapes, that’s been important to me,” says Baldus. “A lot of that comes from my professor whom I had at Briar Cliff; I hear her talking in my ear a lot.” 

Baldus and Wilson have been trying to rebuild the program by renovating the art building, getting new equipment to help with the quality of the education program, and have done what they can for students who are interested in minoring in the program. 

Baldus brought the art gallery to campus and says he has worked hard to present quality exhibitions to give students access to some original art. He has put his own pieces in the gallery that are a variety of different shapes and sizes as he experiments with different styles of work.  

“I’m excited about a lot of the pieces that are over in the gallery now,” says Baldus. “There’s a lot of different things going on, an experimentation for me and I’m excited for what’s happening there.” 

Baldus has shown multiple galleries across the U.S. and has been traveling around the world for years viewing and collecting art. Wilson says he has an incredible collection. 

“I enjoy traveling and I’ve had the opportunity to travel to a lot of exciting places,” says Baldus. “My travel is always based on art exhibits or art museums, so I spend a lot of time in the galleries looking at what’s being produced currently, what’s been produced in the past and all of that influences me and my work.” 

Following his retirement, Baldus plans on continuing his travels, making art and spending a lot of time in his garden. 

“He’s going to be very missed,” says Wilson. 

Jeff Baldus viewing his own artwork at the Clausen Art Gallery .