by Moriah Yancy

The stars twinkle against an open sky, providing a beautiful comfort to the evening. Crickets join in a chorus of continuous chirping, and a family gathers around a fire as marshmallows crackle over the warm hearth. In the midst of a stressful new normal, enjoying the wonders of nature with loved ones can be the perfect getaway. 

East Texas is home to 11 state parks. Each park offers unique means of experiencing adventure in the great outdoors, whether braving it alone or with company. Activities such as camping, hiking and fishing can be an attractive way to have fun.

Kharese Alexander is a nature enthusiast and goes out of her way to enjoy the environment with a lighthearted spirit. 

“I love being outside,” Alexander expresses. “It’s a great way to just relax, you know. You can just get out of your head.”

Kharese has always been a fan of experiencing the outdoors. The 18-year-old went on several camping trips as a child, all of which hold fond memories that continue to inspire her love of nature today.

“I camped at the Tyler State Park, like, a month ago with my boyfriend,” she says, her eyes bright with the memory. “It was really cool – especially after being cooped up inside for so long. It was literally a breath of fresh air.”

Alexander is not alone in using nature as a form of escapism during the pandemic. Jeremiah Yancy is a father of four. He does everything he can to keep his family safe, especially in such an unprecedented time. However, social-distancing guidelines did not keep him from enduring an eight-mile hike in Tyler State Park.

“It was brutal,” Jeremiah laughs. “I’ll probably never do something like that again. But, hey, at least I can say it was an adventure.”

His wife accompanied Yancy during the long trek. The pair is fascinated with daring excursions and decided to take on the park’s terrain for their 28th wedding anniversary.

“I liked being out there and getting out of the house,” he says with a shrug. “As tough as it was, I just enjoyed hanging out with my wife and having fun in nature.”

Over 300 million Americans’ lives are affected in some capacity by COVID-19 today. People are encouraged by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stay inside and away from others as much as possible. Isolation can be distressing, but safely exploring the outdoors may be the ideal venture to get out of the house.

by Moriah Yancy

Rebecca Harrison did not plan on becoming an art teacher. Her initial interest was teaching agriculture when she came to Lindale High School 12 years ago, but Harrison knows she has made the right decision to transition fields. 

“I really fell in love with art,” the teacher expresses sincerely. “I really liked being able to teach art to kids.”

Rebecca is at ease as she talks. She is relaxed on a tan sofa and speaking warmly about her job. “I get to watch these kids who are incredible. They’re just amazing. I get to watch them all day long.”

Rebecca Harrison is 35 years old. She is married with two young daughters, both in the second grade and attending Lindale Elementary. She speaks of them with an exasperated fondness usually found in mothers. 

“It is intense, “ she says with a grin. “It’s crazy.”

Although her profession as an art teacher has been rewarding, Harrison finds the recent adjustments to standard schooling challenging. Like many others, she is trying to adapt to the changes brought by COVID-19. Rebecca knows she must remain mindful of the students who are relying on her.

“It’s been a challenge learning how to communicate with virtual students,” Harrison admits with a faint smile. “That has been one of the things that’s changed for me is I feel like I’ve become a more effective communicator. My kids – when they have a question – they’ll just email me. And I encourage them like, ‘Hey, just email me because I make mistakes.’” 

The current obstacles in education are not only limited to public school teachers. Anita Brown, a young communications professor at UT Tyler, has encountered her own difficulties while conducting classes amidst the pandemic. 

“As far as my classes – they’re completely different,” Brown confesses. “I really like having everyone there face-to-face and being able to interact with students in a face-to-face capacity.” 

With a light chuckle, Anita reveals that it has been tricky to elicit interaction from her students through distance learning. “It’s difficult to motivate people to talk more when they’re looking at their computer.” 

The many problems posed by COVID-19 extend past awkward zoom meetings, though. Brown feels there is a looming threat of school moving entirely online again if the number of cases begins to rise. 

“There’s always that concern,” she pauses, “That it’s just gonna get back to what it was, and everything’s going to be online again.” Anita’s face turns solemn before continuing, “I’m also a little bit anxious just because I don’t want to get sick. I don’t want to bring it home to my family. I don’t want my students to get sick.” 

Fear is prevalent as everyone adjusts to the new normal. Educators and students alike are doing the best they can to keep themselves and others safe. According to Rebecca Harrison, there is hope. 

“It’s this strange conundrum we find ourselves in, you know,” Harrison says with a shrug. “I hope and pray that the kids that need to be at school are getting there.”

Rebecca understands there will be challenges throughout the school year. With a bit of cooperation, however, she and her students will triumph. 

“We’re just all people,” she says. “We’re going to figure it out, and it’s going to be okay.”

by Moriah Yancy

In December 2019, two UT Tyler art students were allowed the opportunity to showcase their talent at a prestigious gallery. UT Tyler’s Meadows Gallery was the perfect exhibition for these artists, both of whom graduated that year with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Today the two painters are currently pursuing careers in artistry and are hopeful for their futures.

Cory Reeves is a young man with a passion for “weird” art. His paintings are bright, colorful and otherworldly. Every scene displayed on canvas is practically screaming in its eye-catching vibrancy. 

“My art, it’s kind of poppy, kind of weirdo and out there,” Reeves says. “It’s very loud and garish and weird.”

Cory flaunted three of his paintings at the 2019 Meadows Gallery. His favorite of the series, titled “Primetime Devotion,” exhibits many animated creatures gathered around a TV mounted on a person’s head. 

According to Cory Reeves’s website, the 29-year-old describes his work as “Mundane Absurdity.” 

“It’s about the little things,” he states. “the minor inconveniences that drive us all up the wall, that we all recognize. It’s about the collective anxiety that makes us all go mad over these tiny things.”

“I want you to smile, even if just for a moment, and to feel connected to people through these bits and pieces of this crazy, absurd human experience we’re all living in.”

Reeves is currently pursuing his master’s degree at the University of Houston, and is still active in the world of art. Although school is occupying most of his time, Cory continues to exercise his gift personally.

“I’m painting very regularly,” he says with a smile. “I come up to the studio for several hours each day.”

Reeves admits he is open to a teaching career in art and believes it is the dream of any person following a Master of Fine Arts. 

“I think anyone starting out at least has some intention of pursuing a good job in education at some point.”

With a master’s on the horizon and his work gaining recognition, Cory knows he will achieve his goals. 

“I just want to put my work out there,” he says. “Whether it ends up on gallery walls or t-shirts. Whether it’s album art or anything like that. I want to have that art out there where people can see it.”

Audrey Caton loves roses. She finds comfort in capturing their beauty in large-scale portraits, so it is no surprise her Meadows Gallery exhibition featured five of these types of works.

The graduating senior sold two of her pieces the night of the gallery, a sought-after win for any budding artist.

Following her success at UT Tyler, Caton maintains her skills a year after graduating in 2019.

“I chose to be an artist as my career choice,” she says. “I’m still in the beginning, so I’m still learning. But I have sold a couple paintings just over the summer.”

Audrey says she enjoyed her time at UT Tyler and understands it was a blessing to her life and academic career.

“I had a pretty good experience at that school,” she admits. “I met my life-time best friend as well.”

The 24-year-old displays her work on an Instagram account for current art projects. The page is full of more large-scale flowers, which are so incredibly vivid; they seem tangible. 

Caton does not know what her future holds, but she knows her gift will be a part of it.

“I’m not sure what I wish to achieve exactly other than to be famous,” she jokes, chuckling slightly. “But I have a long way to go for that.”