A Trip Down Memory Lane

As a young artist, I was extremely fortunate to attend Norwich Free Academy; an independent high school with a nationally recognized art department. The Norwich Art School offered an array of outstanding art classes that were taught by dedicated, practicing artists. For a young artist to have the opportunity to enjoy classes in clay, jewelry & metalsmithing, painting, screen printing, calligraphy, art history and observational drawing, was a dream come true. In addition to the art school, NFA was also home to Slater Museum; which housed an outstanding plaster cast collection of classical sculpture and numerous two-dimensional works of art.

Having known since second grade that I wanted to be an art teacher, my ultimate goal was to return one day to NFA and teach in the Art School. In 1977 my dream came true; I was asked to join the NFA faculty! It was a full circle moment. I had the the opportunity to give back to the school that had played such a huge roll in my artistic development. I shared my passion for art with hundreds of great students, taught a variety of art classes and was instrumental in establishing a class focused on printmaking. Then just when I thought the experience couldn't get any better, I was appointed Norwich Art School Director and served in that position until my retirement.

Recently, the museum director contacted me about purchasing some of my work for Slater's collection. Her goal is to have work in the permanent collection that represents all of the Norwich Art School's director's. Needless to say, it's an exciting opportunity and very humbling to be a member of such a small but influential group.

So, as I was looking forward to what 2011 would offer, at the same time I was looking back (way back) to an important relationship that dramatically shaped my life. Old memories surfaced as I was being interviewed for the museum's archives and it was exciting to select pieces for the collection. As I look ahead to the new year, I also feel like I really do have a little place in history.


http://www.norwichfreeacademy.com/museum