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Bly honored for his extensive research, contributions in art

Andy Newberry
16 April 2026
3 min read

Jason Bly loves to examine the present day through the lens of past predictions from the years 1950 through 1990.

As an artist, he does this with several layers of oil paint applied through traditional methods, building over 50 thin layers to achieve both flat color and deeper, realistic passages. His art has won many honors over the past decade.

As an Associate Professor of Art at the Lamar D. Fain College of Fine Arts, Bly instructs art students. And his extensive research earned him the Chancellor’s Council Distinguished Research Award from the Texas Tech University System. It was presented on April 8 at Midwestern State University by TTUS Chancellor Brandon Creighton.

“It is such an honor to receive the award,” Bly said. “Research in the arts is not typical and can be hard to define to an outside audience, so while I am the one being recognized, my hope is that it opens up to a greater conversation regarding the work we all do in the Fain College of Fine Arts.”

Bly has taught for 18 years, eight at MSU Texas. His research and scholarly activity publications include International Painting Annual 10, Manifest Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio softcover (150 pages) in 2024; Artspace111: 11th Annual Exhibition, Fort Worth gallery book softcover (22 pages) in 2024; Manifest Exhibition Annual Season 13, hardcover (320 pages) in 2023; and Artspace111: 8th Annual Exhibition, Artspace 111, Fort Worth gallery book softcover (22 pages) in 2021.

He earned his bachelor’s degree (2003) and Master of Arts (2004) from Eastern Illinois University. Bly completed his Master of Fine Arts from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2007 and was also a full-time instructor there from 2009-17.

Bly has an Upcoming Solo Exhibition at the University of Texas at Tyler,

Jason Bly receivers honor from TTU System Chancellor Brandon Creighton — Jason Bly, the winner of the Chancellor's Council Research Award, with Fain College of Fine Arts Dean Leah Gose on April 8, 2026.

and he had an Upcoming Solo Exhibition at South Texas College in McAllen, Texas, last year. He has participated in many group and juried exhibitions, presentations, and conferences.

“As an educator, it is important to seek out challenges and create a learning environment for myself,” Bly said. “My research allows me to feel like a student again, which feeds back into my teaching.”

He embraces his oil paintings and working with visual technology.

“The paintings, I work on by myself, in a slow, meditative process,” Bly said. “The work with technology has included a collaborative component with music or theatre faculty with 3D character designs, environments, animation, and live performances. They are very different for me, but I enjoy that range.”

Bly is the gallery director for the Juanita Harvey Art Gallery at MSU Texas, is a Kappa Pi International board member and historian, and is a Texas Association of Schools of Art (TASA) board member.

Bly enjoys helping students build their confidence as they grow as artists each semester.

“In the classroom, the students and I have in-progress critiques to talk about areas of success and adjustments required before the next step,” Bly said. “It is useful to recognize art as a process - hard work that is aided by smart choices. I enjoy seeing the class gain confidence by talking and helping each other towards a common goal.”

CHANCELLOR’S COUNCIL DISTINGUISHED TEACHING AND RESEARCH AWARDS

The Chancellor’s Council Distinguished Teaching and Research Awards recognize academic excellence across the Texas Tech University System. The honors are the most prestigious awards granted to faculty throughout the TTU System.

The awards are funded by gifts to the Chancellor’s Council, a giving society that supports the chancellor’s priorities across the TTU System. Since the honors were established in 2001, 281 faculty members have received awards totaling more than $1.6 million.

“The Distinguished Teaching and Distinguished Research Awards are the highest honor that our system can give,” TTU System Chancellor Brandon Creighton said. “Since 2001, these awards have recognized faculty whose work transforms classrooms. They are possible because of the investment of our Chancellor’s Council members who continue to help us build and sustain the very best.

Recipients receive a $5,000 stipend and an engraved medallion.