Today we’d like to introduce you to Corbin Jenkins
Hi Corbin, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My story is an unusual one, full of twist and turns, but I will give you just a few. Birthed by Sharrion Jenkins retired executive at Austin community college and Robert Jenkins retired army veteran, I was brought into this world a 10 pound and 10 ounce baby boy that unfortunately gave my mom problems during labor. She ended up in the hospital for an extra 6 months after birth, not only do to my unforeseen birth complications. It was also due to the fact that I was almost abducted from the hospital. My mother was weak, very sick and still and recovery. But, not to worry, half of Chicago showed up to protect and support my mother through the rest of her time recovering.
Being the big kid on the playground was though, so my mother and I decided it would be a great idea to play football. Texas football that is. I got good, really good. Went to a few professional training camps where they dubbed me “Georgetown’s Junkyard Dog”! But, as we all know, nothing last forever. I sustained an injury during practice that would take me out of the game indefinitely. So, instead of thinking of what could have been, I decided to take up a new course. That course was woodshop. Turns out I was a natural. I fell in love with the artistry, design, craftsmanship and the finishing techniques. I even ended up placing second in a state exhibition for woodworking.
Building on that momentum, I decided to go to Prairie View A&M University. An historically black university known for art, architecture and nursing. While in graduate school for my Masters degree in Architecture. I had a unique opportunity placed in my path. If I decided to take my final course which I passed with an “A” over again. I could place myself in the running for an internship at E2A Architecture in Zurich Switzerland. After a long conversation, my mother and I thought it would be a beneficial to take the course again. I got the internship! From there I learned so much about life, love, art, people, myself, happiness and sadness. I like to joke and say that “I became a man” in Zurich but it wasn’t to far off.
After coming back to the states. I decided to get a job at Austin Community college. I started from the bottom at facilities management. I worked and worked trying to get to that “place”. After 2 years I made it. I had become a professor of architecture. Everything was going great, I had classes at a few campuses, as well as the juvenile justice center. Then, the world shut down, March 2020. Times were rough for everyone, but it was the hardest challenge of my life to create an online course from scratch during lockdown. Not to mention a lingering eviction. So, after speaking with my mother and best friend. I decided to take up a hobby to get my mind off of things. I got back to my roots and started creating. I fell into the world of canvas pretty deep and produced some great works. So good that my family and friends told me I should sell them. I did exactly that and had my first art exhibit January 27th 2024 at “The Whiskey Room” in Pflugerville Tx. The turnout was spectacular. I sold 40 pieces of art and thus began my journey into art. Since then I have created The “J Corbin Designs Art Collective” as well as got my first vender station at the “Outer Heaven” night club Downtown Austin Texas. I will always look toward to the future, never back at the past.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Well, the road was quite smooth growing up in an upper middle class family in the south. But, there will always be problems. For example, My next door neighbor, whom couldn’t aspire to be an Olympian after a tragic accident. Deiced it would be a great idea to point a gun at me and my cousin for popping fireworks on the fourth of July. I will say, that in 2024 being a black man is rather difficult, but I will not to get in my own way and blame society for the problems that occur in my life.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an Artist, Musician, Craftsman, Professor, Model Maker and Architectural Designer. But, I will say that I am most proud of my ability to adapt and make sense of the world around me. That sense didn’t come from me, it came from the wonderful, kindhearted, knowledgeable people that I have had the great fortune to meet in my 33 years. With out them I don’t know where I would be.
Any big plans?
I plan to make “J Corbin Designs” a household name in the Art, Architect and Furniture. I currently have a great team of people around me that are ready to take on the world and all of it’s challenges. Just give “J Corbin Designs” a chance to change your world for the better.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Jcorbindesigns.com
- Instagram: @cobojinx
- Facebook: @CoboJenkins
