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University Daily Kansan Tuesday, Jan. 8, 1963
w m r s x o a n
Success of Art Students Only Partly Due to College Training
(Editor's Note: Although the KU School of Fine Arts is well-staffed and able to teach the basic concepts of art, the success or failure of its courses still lies with the students themselves. In this article, the second in a series of three, Miss Osborne examines this problem.)
By Rose Ellen Osborne
Creativity is not found in textbooks, and the KU School of Fine Arts has no illusions about turning art students into Picassos in one semester.
"You can teach a student how to paint, but not how to paint well," said Raymond Eastwood, professor of drawing and painting.
SOME OF MY MOST brilliant students—the ones who learned the fastest—have ended up dressing windows for department stores. Success depends on the student's potential, combined with interest and determination, rather than on his ability to learn."
"Art is an almost exact parallel to English," he said. "I don't think anyone believes that the English department can train great writers.
"A STUDENT MAY learn to write well, but he will say nothing. He may learn to paint, but he may have nothing to say.
"All we can do is sharpen the student's power of observation and cultivate in him a capacity for self-criticism." Eastwood explained.
To Appease Reds Reforms Planned
The college boosts an experienced faculty to advise students on everything from the technical aspects of applying the paint and stretching the canvas to the methods of solving an "objective problem" with brush and paint.
LIMA, Peru — (UPI) The military junta government decided last night to follow up its weekend crackdown on Communism with a program of social and economic reforms to ease dissension stirred up by the Reds.
An official spokesman said the junta will institute immediate land reforms in the Convention Valley, where Communist-led bands of land-grabbing Indian peasants have been battling police.
No other details of the reform program were available immediately.
THERE WAS NO sign so far of the violent reaction by students and unionists which some sources had feared would be the immediate result of the junta's weekend arrest of 700 to 800 Communists and other leftists.
About 250 of the prisoners were being flown to the Sepa Penal Colony, deep in the Amazon jungle, which can be reached only by air. It was believed that others swept up in the government dragnet eventually would be sent to Sepa.
Official sources would not say whether any foreigners had been arrested, but authorized informants said no one has been deported from the country.
"Terrorist agents" from Argentina and Cuba had been blamed in some quarters for the Dec. 17 strike riot in Oroya which caused $4 million damage to the U.S.-owned Cerro de Pasco Company's lead smelter there.
"KU is a state-supported school and less expensive than private schools with art departments of a similar quality," a student said.
ONE STUDENT SAID the cultura emphasis at KU influenced his decision to come here. He termed the University a "cultural oasis in the midst of an ocean of midwestern indifference."
Thomas Coleman, instructor of drawing and painting felt this cultural influence at KU is stimulating interest in modern art throughout Kansas.
“KU is fostering artists who may stay in Kansas and paint,” he said.
THE TEACHING PROCEDURE at KU in the drawing and painting department is set up in such a manner that a teacher can conduct several classes at a time. The instructor divides his time between the classes.
Most painting courses are three hours long. There are no lectures. Students paint and the instructor offers his criticism, corrects technical problems and offers suggestions on composition.
Classes in life drawing and contemporary art often use a nude model who is paid by the hour.
"THE HUMAN BODY is organic. A painting should be organic to convey this human quality." John Talleur, assistant professor of drawing and painting, said.
The theory is that if an artist can paint a nude figure, he will have no difficulty filling out a clothed figure.
To paint a nude model effectively, a student must have an extensive knowledge of the muscles and bones to which they are attached. To fill this requirement Dwight Burnham, associate professor of drawing and painting, offers a special course in anatomy for artists. Prof. Talleur said most of the models are Lawrence residents. A University ruling forbids students to model in the nude.
In beginning drawing classes students spend hours making still-life sketches of everything from muffin tins to chairs with their legs interlocked.
SOME STUDENTS are in class 30- 35 hours a week. Drop-out rate among freshmen in the department is high—about 80 percent, according to Prof. Fastwood.
"Most of these students have no idea of what they want to do," he said. Many study art because it appears to be a glamorous profession.
The flunk is the only method professors have for weeding out these "no talent" students. Eastwood said aptitude tests had proved worthless in the past for spotting people with talent.
In the past students and universities sought out prominent painters of the day. Students would come from all over the United States to study with them.
PROFESSORS estimate that out of the 20-30 drawing and painting majors enrolled in the school each year only about two percent are exceptionally talented.
BALDWIN ART THEATER
Charlie Chaplin's "GOLD RUSH"
Plus Award Winning Short
Jan. 8,9,10 — 7:30 p.m.
Baldwin Art Theatre - Baldwin
"Jules & Jim," which we were forced to cancel Dec. 17-21 has been rescheduled for Feb. 12, 13, 14. A brochure which will be soon forthcoming will indicate the schedule of 2nd semester films. Included will be a bonus film to which all season ticket holders will be admitted free of charge. We will film as an expression both of our appreciation for your patronage to the Baldwin Art Theatre and of our apologies for all unforeseen schedule changes.
An instructor held no degree. All he had to recommend him was his reputation as a painter.
"Until 1946 there wasn't a degree in the department," Prof. Eastwood said. "Now everything has become institutionalized."
THE NUMBER OF students who have continued their education and obtained their masters to teach in college has also increased.
Some professors feel this has crowded the field with people who have degrees, but no professional experience.
But the degree is the bait which brings many students to college. It offers the artist a glimmer of security in what has been termed a "starving profession. With a degree the artist can teach to insure himself of a monthly salary and still have time to paint.
(Editor's Note: Tomorrow Miss Osborne will discuss the student artist and his search for security in the art teaching field.
Blue Cross Cards Still Good
Blue Cross-Blue Shield I-D cards issued last year are still valid, according to the Blue Shield office.
Some KU students complained that they had not received cards after signing for insurance at fall enrollment.
Students signing for the first time were mailed cards and contracts last month. A few student contracts mailed to students with new addresses were returned to the Blue Cross office.
The insurance policies were offered to students during enrollment last fall.
Patronize Your Kansan Advertisers
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More than 900 individual student opportunities.
More than 900 individual student opportunities. Summer (1-3 months) or longer in more than 50 Countries. Life guards, sales, resort, farm, construction, factory, hospital, modeling, child care, hotel, camp counseling and other work. TRAVEL GRANTS to $500 & land arrangements by SITA (since 1933 the world's largest organization for educational travel).
819 MASS.
The INTERNATIONAL STUDENT TRAVEL CENTER 39 Cortlandt St., NY 7, NY.
For your copy of the ISTC 1963 brochure send 20¢ to:
ARENSBERG'S
Semi-Annual Shoe Sale now in progress
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WOMEN'S DRESS PUMPS
High or Medium Heels
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