Students who need help on their art project and don’t know where to begin often seek out the advice of a man who has a deep background in art and design.John Burright, buyer and supervisor of art and design at UBS, helps students pick out the right materials for projects whenever they have problems, said Mike Shupp, University Book Store general manager.”People bring in a variety of things they want to do, not always sure of the solution,” he said. “One of the reasons we hired him is because he brought a wealth of experience to the job.”Burright has had experience teaching art at three different K-12 schools, as a free-lance artist and working at The Art Store in Des Moines before coming to Iowa State.While working at UBS, he said his past experience comes in handy.”I research and buy art materials to be sold to students, staff and the public of Ames,” Burright said.He said to do his research, he uses class supply lists, previous sales lists and his own instinct on new trends. Burright also said he must find out who has what he is looking for, where it is located and how fast he can acquire the product.He is also the supervisor on the sales floor. He said he has nine students who work at the UBS, the design book store or both.”They assist me in dealing with customers,” Burright said.Debra Parker, secretary in art and design, said Burright’s personality is well-suited for working with students and professionals alike, since professors can be slow about getting him supply lists.”He’s always been very good for our department. He has a lot of patience. He anticipates a lot of their needs, even if we don’t communicate very well,” she said. “We would really miss him if he were not around.”On top of his duties at UBS, Burright also holds seminars on acrylic painting, a portfolio show, teaches Workspace classes in beginning and advanced matte cutting, jewelry construction and bird houses and attends the National Art and Materials Trade Association convention, Shupp said.Burright said he enjoys the variety in his life.”Yesterday is not like today, and today won’t be like tomorrow,” he said.Burright said he is also part of the Gaffers’ Guild which is a glass blowing club, and said he hopes to get the furnaces “lit before Veishea.”During his free time, he said he also finds time to cook.”I like to cook,” Burright said. “My mom was a 4-H leader. I learned from my mom and my grandmother,” he said.He said his mother, who is very artistic, was also responsible for his early art background.”I learned as much or more about art from my mom than from my high school class,” Burright said. “I grew up on a farm and only took one art class in high school. The only reason I took art is because they wouldn’t let me take home economics.”Since then, Burright married his wife Diann, academic adviser for the College of Business, and said they had met when they were both teaching at small schools.”We met at a teacher’s gathering,” he said. “She asked me out on a first date. It will be six years on May 6.”