Page 41 - Flathead Beacon // 4.2.14

FLATHEADBEACON.COM ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT APRIL 2, 2014 | 41
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ohn Rawlings has not print- he began teaching high school art in In 1993, Rawlings became director because I like it and that’s what I’ll miss

ed out his resume in nearly 20 Australia and 10 years later he went to of the art program and during his ten- the most.”
years, but the seven-page docu- the University of Guanajuato in Mexico ure it’s continued to grow. Rawlings said Come spring, David Regan will as-
ment sitting on his desk shows
to earn his masters of ine arts in sculp- he would put his students against those sume the position of art director at
a diverse career that spans ive decades, ture.
at any four-year institution because the FVCC. He is currently the assistant pro-
includes a half-dozen schools and sever- Following his graduation in 1977, pupils at FVCC are better versed in the fessor of ceramics and received his mas-
al awards. Now he’s hoping to add a few Rawlings got a job at the Red Cloud In- basics. He has also built up a more per- ters of ine arts from Alfred University.
more projects and exhibitions to that dian School in Pine Ridge, S.D., where
sonal relationship with the students.
Regan said taking Rawlings’ place is a
list as he steps down as Flathead Valley big job, but his soon-to-be predecessor

Community College’s art director.
said the younger professor is fully capa- “IF I THOUGHT RETIREMENT
After 49 years of teaching art and ble of leading the program.
more than two decades as the head of FVCC President Jane Karas praised WAS ALL ABOUT DRINKING
FVCC’s bustling art program, Rawl- Rawlings on the eve of his departure,
ings is retiring at the end of the semes- saying the program he had built had be-
ter. Rawlings said he’s considered re- come one of the best in the Northwest.
BEER AT HOME IT’D KILL ME.
tirement for a few years, especially af- “Rawlings has been a great asset to
BECAUSE WHEN YOU RUN THIS
ter some health issues arose. But even FVCC,” she said. “Our students have
when he does clean out his oice inside been incredibly fortunate to learn from FAST, YOU DON’T JUST STOP.”
the Arts and Technology Building, his John’s vast experience as a practicing
presence there will still be measurable. artist.”
-
He says he will stay just as busy, and in- While Rawlings will be stepping John Rawlings
volved, after he retires.
down soon, he plans on staying involved
“If I thought retirement was all with the school and helping the art pro-
about drinking beer at home it’d kill gram grow, as well as spending more time

me,” he said. “Because when you run this in his studio working on personal proj- he worked for three years. In 1979, he “When you ask me what my position
fast, you don’t just stop.”
ects, something he said he has neglected moved to Wyoming and later Alaska, is here or what my title is, I really don’t
Rawlings, 68, has led a full life that in recent years. He also plans on helping where he taught art at community col- know,” he said. “I feel more like a dad
has taken him around the globe and young students learn and grow as artists leges. Finally, in the fall of 1988, he sometimes. We’re a family here.”
eventually to the Flathead Valley. Born and as people. Rawlings said after near- moved to the Flathead and became a A few years ago, Rawlings had an op-
in London shortly after World War II, his ly a half-century of teaching, that’s not part-time instructor at FVCC, teaching eration that severely impacted his hear-
family moved to Australia when he was something he can just give up.
painting, drawing, design and life draw- ing and made it harder to teach. How-

young. Rawlings, whose personal work “I can walk away from this program ing. The latter, which required nude ever, Rawlings is still as busy as ever. He
has been primarily in sculpture, attri- because I know it’s in good hands,” he models, brought about some scrutiny often puts in long days and still teaches
butes some of his abilities to his upbring- said. “(But) I can’t live without being a and controversy to Rawlings and the night classes.
ing – his father was a master builder.
teacher. It’s who I am.”
program at the time, but today it’s a class “I haven’t gone to work in a long, long
He landed his irst job in 1964 when
[email protected]
that often ills up fast.
time,” he said. “I come here every day

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