I was fortunate to spend most of my formative years in Iowa City — a university town of approximately 45,000 souls. It was said that the town boasted the highest number of PhDs per capita in the United States, and, as if fearful of being labeled “hicks,” the community overcompensated with an avalanche of culture. The Writer’s Workshop, Hancher Auditorium, a world class fine art museum and five buildings featured on the cover of Architecture Magazine are among this small town’s assets. I even remember visiting my friend’s modest homes and seeing Lasansky prints hanging on their walls. It was a magical place to be a child. Immersed in art and culture, I naively assumed that every child my age was getting similar experiences. It was not until later that I realized how special my childhood was.
One of my most vivid memories was a kindergarten field trip to the University of Iowa Museum of Art. I remember excitedly passing a George Rickey kinetic sculpture as I entered the museum. Beyond the front door I was greeted by an enormous painting by Robert Motherwell entitled Elegy to the Spanish Republic, No. 126 (shown here). At that age I was unaware of the work’s significance, the artist or his intent, but I responded with an uncontrollable excitement.
When I returned home I raced to my room and completed a drawing of the most complicated thing I could think of — an automobile. I immediately went to my mother and asked her to take me back to the museum so they could display my drawing. My mother, a kindergarten teacher with a strict upbringing, secretly vowed she would never say “no” to any of her children and therefore complied with my bold request. She confessed later that she intentionally remained in the vehicle while I
scurried into the museum with my drawing to speak with the curator.
The museum staff graciously explained that they could not accept my drawing but suggested I enter it in a competition and exhibit to be held at the University of Iowa Hospital. I entered my work in the competition and received a third place award. Both of my parents accompanied me to the hospital to see the work displayed.
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