News + Notes

Etching Press donated in honor of G. H. Rothe

02/11/15

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On Saturday, January 31st, Stephen hosted Peter and Geffen Rothe in the printmaking studio for the 'christening' of the etching press, tools, and materials that they donated in honor of Peter's mother, G. H. Rothe, a renowned mezzotint artist. Former Oxbow Board member, Bonnie Levinson, was in attendance as she was the link in getting the Rothe's to Oxbow.

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On learning that Peter and Geffen were looking to find a good home for his mother's studio equipment, Bonnie put the Rothe's in contact with us and the result is a really great addition to the printmaking studio. To celebrate the donation, Peter installed a plaque in honor of his mother, and Stephen printed the last plate that Peter's mother was working on at the time of her death. The donation also included many of the artist's printmaking tools and a large amount of very high
quality printmaking paper.

If at any point Oxbow doubts the good it does, I just want to reassure you all that you’re changing the lives of young artists every semester.

— Colin Davis, Fall 2009

It's been a whirlwind week, but also a time when I sang the praises of Oxbow to my colleagues. I've been thinking much about how Oxbow is an exemplar of true education. That art centers the curriculum is hardly surprising, and for those of us who work within the traditional educational mold Oxbow offers a gold standard of focused project based learning. Beyond the school's approach to immersive experience are the intangibles which make Oxbow different. The sense of community and of working together, even as each student retained their strong individual presence is palpable. The feeling of warmth and trust between the adults and the nearly adults in the Oxbow community could be felt throughout the campus. The openness of the architecture and interconnectedness of the three studios in themselves speak of the Oxbow philosophy and identity. More than form follows function, the physical attributes of Oxbow have a distinct warmth and invite exploration.

I'm sure that the ongoing challenges of leading and reinventing your school might sometimes keep you from having the time to see Oxbow with the fresh eyes of a visitor, but your steady presence and vision are really visible in every detail. Thank you for inviting me to one of the most profound experiences in my career.

— Ken Rush, Visual Arts Department, Packer Collegiate Institute

The art that goes on in most high schools is usually relatively skill-based. At Oxbow, there is more emphasis on looking and seeing and more critical thinking about what you are doing, the human connection, that personal element. Through art you can begin to understand yourself better. That may be the biggest eye-opener for students. It is almost a preview of college. Get out of the mechanical factory high school education and get into something open, new, and invigorating in a small environment.

— Bill Barrett, Former Oxbow Board Member, Former Executive Director of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design (AICAD)

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