Well, I may not know art, but I know what I like, haw haw. Lovey, could you pour me another scotch on the rocks?
Um, no. Appreciation of art is not limited only to the pretentiously rich classes and the poverty-stricken geniuses. In fact, you can soak in artistic splendor right here on our campus, down at the Reece Museum – and you’re just in time to catch the brand spankin’ new exhibit, “John Steele and the Taxpayer’s Children.”
Professor John Steele is the mad scientist behind this Frankenstein of creativity. What makes this exhibit so intriguing is that it is composed of works from artists who have studied here at ETSU under Steele, a retired art and design faculty member. Approximately 50 former students agreed to participate in the exhibit.
Steele’s own works are also scattered among his pupils. Steele chose to include these students and their work based on their common ground: the fact that these ex-students continue to churn out art, and also that they have remained in contact with their former teacher throughout the 38 years that he taught at ETSU and beyond his 1994 retirement.
Among the works are oil and acrylic paintings, sculpture, photography and various other media.
On Jan. 17, a public opening reception for Steele and his former students was held at the museum. There were around 200 people who attended the function; students from several different states attended, as well as those from closer to home. Local artists also gave the exhibit a gander.
“On one level, this exhibition is a selfish venture whose purpose is to produce warm and fuzzies for me,” Steele said. But, on another level, the exhibit documents not only the cultural growth of ETSU, but, more importantly, the personal artistic and intellectual growth of this group of students.”
Admittedly, the idea behind the Reece exhibit was not originally his. A similar exhibit was pulled together by a brother artist who had taught at Virginia’s Emory and Henry College. The process, Steele claims, of planning and arranging the show has allowed him “to make my own closure,” after slipping out of his old role in the department.
Though retired from teaching, Steele has by no means retired from art. He keeps plenty busy juggling various projects, in addition to the “work in progress” on his studio and home. Interestingly enough, Steele’s home sweet home was, in years gone by, an old neighborhood grocery store, hidden nearby campus.
The task of renovating has fallen on the shoulders of Steele and his son George.
Inside the mauve stucco building, artistic oddities are strewn about, decorating the place with furniture that was not originally made as such – a coffee table that was once a glass jewelry case, for example, or old gooseneck metal heat lamps transformed into normal floorlamps and task lights.
My own stroll through the “John Steele and the Taxpayer’s Children” evoked the same emotions I felt when wandering through the vast halls of Le Louvre in Paris (except for being dazed and confused by the endless crowds and floors).
There are handouts at the front desk with a description of the works and artists, and the museum is collecting material for a catalog.
I left feeling as though I had but a taste of the full flavor – which means I, for one, will be returning for another sample.
The exhibit will be on display until March 17.
The museum hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday; 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday; and 1 p.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
For information or special assistance for persons with disabilities, contact Blair White, director and curator of the museum, 439-4392.

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