Fine Arts Department Faculty

Janet Cruz, Associate Professor and Chair
B.A., University of Pittsburgh; M.F.A., New Mexico State University
Ms. Cruz is a successful working artist with years of teaching experience. She was the 2005 recipient of the O’More College of Design Provost Award. She also serves on the art jury for the Firehall Gallery at City Hall in Franklin, Tennessee. Her work has been exhibited in Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico, and is part of several private collections.

Marleen DeWaele-DeBock, Instructor
St. Lucas Institute, Belgium
Ms. DeWaele-DeBock completed her studies at the St. Lucas Institute, one of the best fine art schools in Belgium. She specialized in printmaking, and her work has been exhibited internationally. She spent more than a decade in Mozambique and South Africa, where African culture had a profound influence on her art. She is the creator of Enfants d’ Ete children’s wear line. Since moving to Nashville in 2001, her work has been exhibited at the Parthenon, Dangenart Gallery, and LeQuire Gallery.

Ashleigh Robertson-Jervis, Instructor
Bachelor of General Studies, East Tennessee State University; M.A., East Tennessee State University
Ms. Robertson-Jervis completed her MFA with a specialization in the area of fiber art including felting, fabric dying and printing, and weaving. Her work, which includes several hand felted wool pieces, has been exhibited in Tennessee.

Lisa Ward-Smith, Associate Professor
B.A., Southern Methodist University; M.A., University of Texas
Ms. Ward-Smith has several years of teaching experience and is now the School & Outreach Programs Coordinator at Cheekwood in addition to teaching art history at O’More.  She taught art appreciation and art history at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas, and was the PreK–3rd grade art teacher at Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano, Texas, before moving back home to Tennessee.

John Watts, Instructor
B.F.A., Murray State University, M.F.A., University of Georgia
Mr. Watts received his MFA with a specialization in sculpture. He has extensive knowledge of sculpture history, technique, and installation. His work has been commissioned for several exhibitions including installations by landscape sculptor Mel Chin in Corpus Christi,Texas.

Distinguished Professor

Bruce Bezaire, Professor and O'More Master Teacher
B.F.A., University of Windsor; M.F.A., Southern Illinois University
Mr. Bezaire has extensive experience both as a teacher and working artist. He has taught at the University of Windsor, Bellhaven College (HEADWAE Award as outstanding faculty member 1997; Art Department Chair 1996-2002). Professor Bezaire received the O’More College of Design Master Teacher Award in 2007. He has been a self-employed painter and illustrator with several one-man exhibits in the United States and Canada. He has also participated in a three-man exhibit of Canadian painters in Seoul, South Korea.