Kameron Robinson’s life looks a lot different now than he thought it would when he attended Anderson University. After graduating in 2012 with a degree in fine art, Robinson thought he would continue into a glass-blowing career, connected to an internship he had prior. However, Robinson felt a call to ministry and continued at AU to receive his master's in arts and intercultural service in 2014.
Robinson now serves as the director of Eastside Studios in Anderson. He has been in the position for nine years but went full-time in 2016. Eastside Studios started from Robinson’s idea of using art as a tool for community engagement. Today the studio offers two sessions of workshops and classes each year, using the rest of the time for administrative work. He uses the organization as a large educational opportunity.
Robinson continues to be committed to the community of Anderson through his businesses and personal outreach. His family settled in Anderson when he was eight years old, so the city has been home to him ever since. Although he looked at other schools, Robinson felt that everything fell into place for him to attend AU. “It is easy to only see the negative things about the city,” he said, “but there are a lot of good things about it too.”
When asked about his time at AU, Robinson said, “it was life-changing.” The art department gave him a unique outlook on how to think creatively. He learned that despite artists being naturally gifted, you still have to learn how to nurture yourself creatively and feel inspired. Spending time outside, having quiet time with the Lord and intentionally being more aware have allowed him to grow in his faith and creative process.
His time at AU gave him the perseverance to continue in his field despite many setbacks. He considered changing his major many times but knew he had to commit to his passion for art. In addition to the professional development he gained at AU, Robinson speaks fondly of the lifelong friends and connections he made. He still talks to some of his roommates and even works with fellow AU alum and current staff member, Jeffrey Jackson, on his screen printing business.
Robinson’s love for art has influenced his spirituality and his overall outlook on life. He has learned that the traditional path of religion does not work for him. The more he works on seeing faith and art as one thing, the more he feels like himself. He encourages the thought of finding God in many aspects of life, not just at a church service.
He is very hands-on in all aspects of his life. When not working at Eastside Studios, Robinson can be found spending time with his wife and two daughters who have been completing renovations on their fixer-upper house in downtown Anderson. He has a home studio for personal projects and his current hobby is collecting old metronomes and getting them back to working conditions.
After reflecting on his time at AU and sharing about his walk with the Lord, Robinson said, “I think about this stuff all the time.” To learn more about Eastside Studios and connect with Robinson, check out the website: http://www.esstudios.org/
Elleana Ortiz is a senior from Holt, Michigan, majoring in public relations and dance. Ortiz is an associate with Fifth Street Communications®, a student-run public relations agency at Anderson University.