(Spring 2022 Purple & White Article)
While the Department of Art was only officially added to the Iowa Wesleyan catalog in 1947, visual art has been a part of IW’s liberal arts curriculum nearly since its founding. As early as 1854, students have enjoyed drawing and painting courses. In the near-century that followed, the visual art offerings expanded to include Art History as well as other mediums, such as oil painting, pastels, and watercolor. Despite continuous growth, it wasn’t until the post-World War II era, as America became the center of art for the Western World, that studio art and art education became a focus for the IW campus. It was during this time that the Art Department made a home at the Harlan-Lincoln House and the first program chair of the Art Department, Carl Fracassini, carved his name into the first-floor window facing the Chadwick Library. In 1949, the program graduated its first student, Archie Euwer, who would go on to become a teacher and have his paintings exhibited in the Anchorage Museum and at the University of Alaska.
Since the early days of the Art Department, Iowa Wesleyan has expanded its artistic outreach, inviting artists to display their work in the campus art gallery located in the P.E.O. Memorial Building and encouraging community members to view the displays and attend artist lectures. “That’s something that I think has enriched not just the education of our students, but also the community,” stated Ann Klingensmith, retired Professor of Art and Art Gallery Director. “We try to encourage everyone to engage with an artist.”
The Shifting Angles of Art
The presence of art at Iowa Wesleyan has been constant yet changing. After the 2013-14 academic year, Iowa Wesleyan reevaluated its art program, removing the Studio Art major to place a greater emphasis on the changing technologies in visual and graphic design. This shift in the art program was further emphasized by the changing of the Visual Communication and Design to Digital Media Design (often referred to as DMD) in the 2016-17 academic year. “I feel like art has just evolved so much that we have to be progressive,” stated Roy Manfredi, Digital Media and Design Instructor. Despite the shift in name and focus, Manfredi emphasized that the curriculum still teaches students many beloved facets of traditional art. “What we do now, it’s obviously not exactly the same [as studio art] but a lot of the concepts really are the same. We don’t ever want our students to be under the impression that you can properly do digital art without an understanding of the core concepts of traditional art.”
Many students who complete the program find themselves grateful for the adaptability the program teaches. Dillon Galer ’20 noted, “You always have to know what’s up, you always have to be up to date, and you have to adapt. I feel like people think that art is just sitting around and coloring, but it’s so much more than that…I didn’t realize how much everything kind of bounces off each other, like how painting affects my printmaking or how printmaking impacts my photography. I think this program really prepares students for that.” In addition to the emphasis on a multimedia approach to art, the program shows students that the influence of technology doesn’t replace traditional art forms. “Something that we learn about in photography is that we’re going through our own kind of change in art,” noted Manfredi. “Before photography was invented, painting was more important. Yet photography never replaced painting, it just changed the functionality. Art never gets replaced, it changes, it shifts.” Don Jones, Professor Emeritus, added, “The process itself makes you realize, all this work, all this process that had to be gleaned by all these people, it’s amazing.”
The Iowa Wesleyan Art Department believes that art is still not only relevant, but more important than it may have been historically. Klingensmith stated, “We as residents of planet earth are bombarded with images every day, hundreds even before our second cup of coffee. I think by studying visuality, studying art, we become more keen and accurate. We don’t talk about it much, but it’s an information literacy.”
An Art Family
In addition to the skills involved in learning art, the department fosters a sense of community even beyond the major. “I feel like the art major isn’t the largest,” stated Galer. “But just thinking about all of the stuff that gets pushed out [by the art students]. Everyone kind of forms around the arts here, even if that’s not their major, so I think it’s just always there for people.” Iowa Wesleyan University prides itself on the community and relationships it is able to build across and within each program. However, the Art Department provides a unique opportunity for students and faculty to connect and build meaningful relationships. Tracee Guzman ’13 claimed that transferring to IW “was like coming home.” Guzman emphasized how important the relationships she built at IW were and she continues to meet with her classmates and professors each summer for an informal summer art camp. “It wasn’t like a school setting,” Guzman recalled. “It was like an art family, and they’re still my family today.”
Students participate in a variety of projects, many of which are collaborative, encouraging students to learn how to operate within a team. Galer stated, “Your classmates become your friends, and when you work on projects, it’s like you’re the Avengers where you each have your own talents or specialties which kind of shows how everybody can work together.” Galer recalled creating the first video for The Wesleys (Tiger Athletics annual awards show) and the excitement it generated across campus and among the athletes in particular, “When we made The Wesleys, I remember how cool it felt, having the opportunity to watch how excited students got seeing themselves in that way. That’s part of art.” Galer also emphasized the importance of the University as a whole supporting student art. “A big thing here is that student art gets featured. We’re not afraid to use students’ work in marketing or to promote the Art Gallery. Where else are you going to get that experience?”
Outside of collaborative work, the professors within the program offer significant guidance and support to students. “Don and Ann quickly became my mentors,” noted Guzman. Guzman said she had an interest in becoming an illustrator at a young age; however, she lost sight of this goal as she got older. It wasn’t until Ann Klingensmith suggested that Guzman consider going into illustration that she considered pursuing it. “It’s like I was waiting for somebody to sit me down and tell me, ‘you should go into illustration.’” Guzman has since illustrated one published children’s book and is preparing for her second to be released.
Celebrating a Milestone
The celebration of 75 Years of Art offers an opportunity to reflect on the impact the program has had on the campus and community. “We have brought a lot of art to campus and continue to do so,” noted Jones. “Just in the P.E.O. Building alone, art galleries have been happening since before 1969. There was always an invitational show at IW. There were shows going on then as well as really nice art exhibitions. When you see art, it’s just you and that piece having a conversation. The whole delivery system of visual arts is just incredible.” Guzman added, “I really think IW makes a presence for itself. I’m always pointing [my students] to my alma mater. I’m very proud.”
Iowa Wesleyan University is excited for the opportunity to celebrate 75 Years of Art throughout 2022!
Kendra Gauge 