Jessica Just is a Texas based artist and photographer who received her BFA from Baylor University and her MFA from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Many of her interests lie in various facets and manipulations of the past, and how it affects objects, outlook, identity, and memory. Mining through familial objects, photographs, and stories present a myriad of fascinating opportunities for new narratives and reinterpretations. Her work can be found in Private collections across Texas, and She currently lives in Waco, TX and teaches at Baylor University and McLennan Community College.

“Much of my current practice investigates the sweetness and tradition that saturates the American South. The coded language that exists where the phrase "bless your heart" is quick to sting. There is a dichotomy that exists within it that I am drawn to, especially as a woman. These past few years have brought an abrupt and extended period of time where I was truly able to examine elements of my life on a foundational level. I found myself, like many others, angry and frustrated. With the world, injustice, with myself, and the surroundings that I was staring at every day. I was raised to welcome anyone to my table, and feed them well. I was raised to be kind, but sometimes at the cost of making myself small.  But at times, this sweetness can serve as an excuse, a lure, a sparkling gem that then stuns you and blinds you. I grew up being told that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Honey is golden, pleasing, smooth. But it is also sticky, like quicksand for the tongue. What a welcoming facade. Perhaps, we need all the vinegar we can get.”