How Frank Lloyd Wright Made Me an Art Historian
Picture a high school student who loves art—looking at all types of it, touching it, creating it—but who just isn’t very good at drawing, painting, or sculpting. Her work is the stuff that elicits “nice effort” and “interesting composition” from her teacher and an obligatory spot on the refrigerator at her parents’ house. She is the one who jealously looks at all the other students’ work, wondering why her figures don’t look correctly proportioned or her coil pot doesn’t stand up straight. This student was me almost ten years ago.
I have always loved art and have always tried to make it. I can still recite my art teachers’ names, but somehow can’t recall most of my language arts, science, or math teachers. Art was the class where I could think outside the box, experience colors not found in my Crayons at home, and dangerously wield scissors. But while it brought me lots of joy, it also made me sad…I knew I wasn’t cut out to be an artist.
Then, one day in high school, my wonderful art teacher Mrs. L. showed us a video on the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. This VHS opened my eyes to structures that looked differently from the grocery stores, stadiums, and government buildings I saw around town. It made me realize you could have a house with a live tree growing out of it! Most importantly, it made me realize I could love art and get to be around it and study it without having to make it. With that one video, she gave me (and all the other students in my class) art history.
Mrs. L. didn’t just introduce us to Frank Lloyd Wright, but to other artists through books, posters, and videos. Her class was our museum when we didn’t have one close enough to visit on a field trip. So when I moved to college, she was one of the reasons I pursued a degree in museum management. Because she knew that to reach all her students she needed to combine art-making with art appreciation. And for at least one student, that knowledge shaped an entire career.
Thanks Mrs. L. and all the other art educators who teach us not only one-point perspective but also about Degas, Picasso, and O’Keeffe. We truly appreciate it.
Comments
Margaret, we are so glad you enjoyed the Ranney and Johnson exhibitions. Make sure you return for our special exhibitions this fall: Chimneys and Towers: Charles Demuth’s Late Paintings of Lancaster and Accommodating Nature: The Photographs of Frank Gohlke.
My high school art teacher inspired me to love art history. I was facinated by the fact that she could look at a work of art and just know who produced it. I wanted that knowledge, too. Before that, my parents inspired my love of art. My mother painted and my father was a professional photographer. To them I am forever grateful for the rich life I have, not monitarily, but artisically. I love objects and knowing about their history.
I took in the Ranney exhibit a couple of weeks ago and thought it wonderful! - and the Johnson art was great to see, too.
Thank you for consistently presenting beautiful and educational exhibits from your beautiful spot on the hill !
— Margaret M., March 25, 2007, 11:26 a.m.