Mr. Greg Hewitt (Commercial Writing ’03, M.F.A. Art ’06) has been investing in Pensacola Christian College visual arts students since 2005. For 16 years, he worked part-time as faculty and part-time as staff in PCC’s Advertising Services, where he developed News and Events articles and The Update booklets. Now, as chair, he has used the last three years to further connect with and encourage students to be a light to others through the arts. Mr. Hewitt continues to teach senior and graduate art courses, arranges faculty schedules and course offerings ahead of each semester, and works with faculty to organize larger department events such as Portfolio Day and Commencement Art Contests. Together, he and the visual arts faculty continually work to strengthen and update the studio art and graphic design programs to ensure student success in the classroom and a future career.
1. You graduated from PCC with a commercial writing degree and later earned a Master of Fine Arts in Art. What led you to study these fields?
While growing up, I always had a pencil in my hand, drawing cartoons, my friends, or my favorite basketball player (Michael Jordan, of course). When the topic of college became more real, my intention was to study art, but in my senior year of high school, a close friend—the epitome of a writer—inspired in me a love for words, making my choice of major a difficult one. Not wanting to double major, I decided to major in commercial writing and minor in graphic design. (There was no studio art minor at the time.) As I finished undergrad, my desire to grow as an artist was as strong as ever. I applied for the M.F.A. program in art to learn more about traditional art forms.
2. What brought you to PCC, and why did you decide to stay?
I’m originally from the Tampa area, so being only seven hours away from family at an affordable Christian college in-state was a big part of my college decision. And friends from church and school were also students at PCC, so I knew people already, making the move from home easier. The community of new friends that I made on campus, especially in the Communicative Arts Center (now Visual and Performing Arts building) opened me up to a whole new perspective on living the Christian life as an artist. During the M.F.A. program, while serving as a graduate teaching assistant, I met my future wife, who just so happened to be studying commercial art. Two years later—with two years left for Sara (Commercial Art ’08) to complete her degree—we got married. When I finished the graduate program, God provided me with a staff position as a writer and designer in the Advertising Services Department, which was a two-year commitment. We planned to head home and start a fine art portraiture studio at the end of those 2 years—which was 18 years ago. A lot could be added to that narrative, but suffice it to say, God worked in ways that only He can during these past 18 years, and it’s been astounding to see His handiwork.
3. How did your time in PCC’s Advertising Services add to what you’ve been able to offer in the classroom?
The time on staff in Advertising Services gave me valuable experience working with others in a creative environment under tight deadlines. Each day involved juggling multiple projects for various clients and working with words, images, layout, and branding. Eventually, some openings to teach became available in the graphic design program, so I began teaching a class or two each semester. What I loved about working on staff part-time and teaching part-time was the way each influenced the other. I could grow creatively as a professional and share that with my students. And in the classroom, my students would motivate and inspire me through their ideas and energy. That was such a unique relationship during those years.
4. How did your teachers influence you during your time as a student, and how has that motivated you as a faculty member?
The legacy of the art program (and its personal influence on my life) is a huge part of my motivation. It’s rare for a day to go by that I’m not amazed that God would see fit to have me serve in this role, because the people I most admire from my days as a student held this (or a similar) position. The leaders in the Visual Arts Department and so many teachers through the years invested in me artistically and personally. They cared. They modeled a humble, authentic walk with Christ day in and day out. I’m grateful to have the chance to steward such a wonderful program that has helped raise up so many gifted artists and designers.
5. What classes have you taught, and which do you currently teach?
So many classes—from AR 101 Drawing I to AR 652 Graduate Thesis! As a graduate teaching assistant, I taught several fundamental drawing and painting classes. Then, during the years I worked in Advertising Services and taught part-time, the classes were mainly related to publication, design, and advertising. Now in my role as chair, it’s a mixture of senior and graduate design and art classes. And there’s something special about teaching the Graduate Thesis class. It’s really rewarding to work with students earning their M.F.A. degree, helping them envision their exhibit and guiding their efforts to write about their work.
6. As a department chair, how do you get to invest in the current student body, and how have you been able to help students?
In my role, I get to be involved with students in a different way than when I’m teaching. One way is through working with teachers on improving the visual arts program. As the faculty encounter long-term trends or see how projects, courses, and majors can be improved, we work together to adapt and refine those areas to better serve the students now and in the future. Being able to serve with our teachers—and for our students—in that way is incredibly rewarding!
7. Students often face a variety of hardships while in college. How have you been able to offer encouragement as a faculty member?
Today’s students grew up with the internet influence, which has given them an array of experiences that no other generation has had. Being constantly connected can have its downsides, especially when the digital world can be such a distraction, unless balance and moderation are in place. With so many resources and voices bombarding today’s students, it’s important for me to help them cut through the noise and curate positive influences for them while they’re here. It’s been so encouraging having unscheduled conversations in the hallways with students, to listen to their needs, and to help with solutions whenever I can.
8. What has it been like for you and your wife, Sara, to raise your family in Pensacola, Florida?
The area has grown and become so much more vibrant than when I first came to Pensacola in 1999. We have enjoyed the changes and are grateful that the kids are able to experience this part of Florida. My wife and I are both away from our families here, so we try to stay connected and serve at church as well as continue to develop friendships that we’ve made here over the years. We also homeschool, so there’s a lot of educating going on in life at the moment.
9. What are some of your family’s favorite opportunities to enjoy in the area?
There are so many things we love to do together as a family here—restaurants, parks, libraries, and the beach! The kids love attending our senior portfolio exhibits as well, so they come and congratulate our students and eagerly receive any candy offered to them. This past spring, Sara and Gwynneth, our oldest daughter, both performed in PCC’s Fine Arts Series production of The Sound of Music, which was a wonderful experience all around. For specific places, we love to meet up with friends at Lamonte Gelato in East Hill or grab some street tacos at Tacos El Amigo.
10. For the final question, do you have any advice that may help students?
Yes! Two pieces of advice have been on my heart a lot lately. First, since our visual arts students will be living in and working so closely to culture in the creative field, I encourage them to stay close to God and guard their hearts from negative influences. Creating art and design is such a beautiful way to help cultivate culture, and it’s a chance for them to let their lights so shine before men to ultimately point to Jesus. Second, while they’re here, I want so much for them to make deep connections with people, growing as artists side by side at easels or developing a closer walk with God by talking about His grace over coffee. This happens so wonderfully when phones are away to simply live in the moment.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.