By: Skyler and Kristi Harper (Parents)
“Please do not eat the clay” was the sign we saw in Jason’s pottery classroom at Manhattan Arts Center.
Though he was only 16, Jason was already teaching young kids and he was a natural even then. He was good at providing what his students needed, be it a reminder not to eat the clay or encouragement to stay in school. He even had a following of retirees who enjoyed taking his classes.
Like teaching, art came naturally to Jason. From an early age, he was artsy. Whether making us intricate paper snowflakes or discovering his true passion for ceramics, he was always creating. We enrolled him in art classes when he was 5 years old.
He ended up going to K-State, as has most of our family, majoring in art with a specialty in ceramics. He earned his Master of Fine Arts from Indiana University, with the goal of becoming a university art professor. His innovative ceramic style reflected his personality — thoughtful, yet humorous.
At Indiana, he once again shared his natural teaching skills. Known as the “shepherd of the studio” he was at home helping people with their art, as well as with the variety of unique issues college students often face.
We established a scholarship to help K-State students pursue a degree in the arts. It felt like fate when we found out the first recipient was the daughter of Jason’s kindergarten teacher.
Jason’s artistic legacy continues through the students who receive his scholarship. We love meeting them and always try to add a piece of their art to our collection of Jason’s pieces. Our house has become a gallery that celebrates both his memory and their futures.
The Jason Skyler Harper Memorial Scholarship supports students in ceramics. Jason passed away at 26 in a car accident.
