Walking through the Terry Center here at Jesuit, one sees the many political cartoon drawings dedicated to Bill De’Ore ’65. The exhibit started on November 7th and will continue until late January of the coming year. Following the 50th Anniversary of his Jesuit graduation, De’Ore has given back to Jesuit with his time and art, providing Jesuit with many watercolor pieces and other cartoons. Jesuit now wants to give back to him, a dedication of his finest work.
The exhibit dedicated to De’Ore, located on the 3rd floor of the Terry Center, contains many of his political cartoons he has drawn over the years, along with Jesuit students’ ceramic caricatures from Mr. Ochs’ ceramic class.
De’Ore himself boasts an impressive resume; most notably, he served as an editorial, sports, and political cartoonist for The Dallas Morning News. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising Art and Design from Texas Tech University. He also was formerly a member of the American Association of Editorial Cartoonists. De’Ore has received many prestigious awards such as the Fischetti Award for an outstanding cartoon on a national level, ten Katie Awards for an outstanding cartoon in a five state region, and the Texas School Bell Award. However, he does not draw his cartoons like modern artists do: he creates his artwork by hand. He uses pen, pencil, and watercolor. Needless to say, Bill De’Ore has focused his life on creating masterpieces by hand and giving back to the community. De’Ore is also a member of the museum board at Jesuit.
Jesuit Art Museum Director, Elizabeth Hunt-Blanc, described De’Ore as “having done so much for the museum. He is the one that draws the senior prints, and those are absolutely incredible. He loves Jesuit. He has also done all of the art programs for the athletic department here at Jesuit and he has donated his work. His time alone is unbelievable.”
De’Ore’s artwork can be found all around the school, not just in the exhibit. On the second floor of the athletic tower, his artwork overlooks the basketball court, lining all along the wall.
Jesuit art teacher Raymond Ochs shared that his favorite part about the exhibit is “the challenge and opportunity for students to participate. Most students do not understand the dynamics of being able to display their work with an established artist.” Mr. Ochs elaborated on what this exhibit brings to Jesuit, by saying he “believes the exhibit shows that art does not always have to be a traditional painting or sculpture to be valid. Learning to express oneself is difficult but can be achieved in many different avenues. The cartoons are as valid a way to express a subject as doing it in a traditional manner.”
The exhibit can be seen on the 3rd floor of the Terry Center until late January, and you can also observe his works throughout the school or on the 2nd floor of the athletic tower. Stop by to look at the students’ artwork as well as a phenomenal exhibit dedicated to Jesuit’s own, Bill De’Ore’65!
