Giving to Reed
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 Untitled, 1960 Oil on canvas Milton Wilson |
Donations help turn students on to art
Charlotte Gould Warren '59
My first exposure to abstract art was at Reed College. I wondered what to make of these new forms no longer recognizable of Boticellis, Michelangelos, or Giottos. At Reed, along with other students I was invited to watch an artist at work in his studio
Too poor to afford canvas then, Milton Wilson painted with house paint on butcher paper tacked to the wall. The energy of his brush strokes, his obvious love of color, and his commitment to art thrilled me. I became friends with the Wilson family. Later, their children were in my wedding, and Milton gave me one of his paintings as a wedding gift.Besides being immersed in literature at Reed, I was lucky enough to take a calligraphy class with Lloyd Reynolds and a drawing and painting class with James McGarrell, another important influence in my life. McGarrell and his wife befriended me, and I occasionally baby-sat one of their children. Before he left Reed, I bought one of his canvases. Again, when Carl Morris had a show at the college, I was so taken by his work that I asked if he'd part with two sumi ink figure paintings. As did Wilson, McGarrell, Lee Kelly and others, Morris generously lowered his prices so that students could afford them. Even $15 was a lot back then, but I was thrilled to have this visual nourishment.
It was through Reed professors of literature and humanities Kenneth Hanson and Kaspar Locher that I was introduced to other writers, painters, and sculptors, and by example shown how art sustains lives. Hanson became my mentor both as poet and thesis advisor, and remained a friend until his recent death.
Because art in all its forms has made such a difference in my life, I hope Reed will continue to bring writers, painters, and musicians to campus to energize students' thinking and deepen their aethestic awareness. I also hope that the donated works continue to engage and inspire today's college community.
| Gould's book, Ghandi's Lap, was awarded the Washington Prize from The Word Works. |
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