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I was there as it happened in the 1960s. Suddenly, in critique, we were expected as students to deliver crit of each others work, when just 2 years earlier, this critique was the perogative of the instructor. This critique quickly became ad hominem and political. Between 1961 and 1966 the criteria changed from classical forms of instruction aimed at providing us w/a foundation of technique and an educated eye to the primitivism Mr Ross describes so eloquently. Why?

Vietnam.

Art schools are colleges within Universities. Admission was via portfolio. Spaces were intentionally limited. Distinctions were drawn between art major and non-major studio classes. We were informed that *C* was not an acceptable grade for studio classes. The world had no need of more mediocre artists. Anyone receiving a grade below *B* in studio risked being ejected from the art school. For many male students who were incapable of pulling adequate grades in academic programs, this could mean the loss of a student deferrment. Under the guise of equality, female students were also suddenly granted wider latitude.

I was in art school between 1961 and 1963 at a major Land Grant University. I dropped out for a few years and returned to finish my degree in 1966. The change was dramatic and apparent and many students had it figured out. My junior year advisor informed me that I had a chance of an art career and advised me to drop out and pursue it. He added that less than 5% of art students ended up practicing their profession; the rest became teachers. He was correct.

I did have a career as a crafts artist, mainly in fiber. Beautiful, well-crafted functional work sells and I had to make a living.

I don't know how it is today, but last year I did a tour of the Chicago galleries and I was uniformly depressed. There was some realistic work, but it was based on optical gimmicks. The real brilliance seemed to be in the expensive craft area, mainly glass sculpture. I think many artists gravitate to the fine crafts because it is the last place left where technique and skill can be melded to interests in color and form.

I found Art Renewal a few years ago and I have met some younger artists who ignore the academy and have taught themselves drawing, modeling, illusion, color theory and technique. I hear that the art schools are being ignored in favor of private studio classes that teach a classical approach. The students themselves are rediscovering the Masters of the past and are striving to build upon their accomplishments.

Art has always been political. I think as conservatism gains around the world, the "artists speaking to artists", politically-informed type of work will be more and more marginalized. Things finally reached such a reductio ad abursdum in art that there is nowhere else to go but back to the classics.

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"...I found Art Renewal a few years ago and I have met some younger artists who ignore the academy and have taught themselves drawing, modeling, illusion, color theory and technique. I hear that the art schools are being ignored in favor of private studio classes that teach a classical approach. The students themselves are rediscovering the Masters of the past and are striving to build upon their accomplishments..."

I am one such artist. Multiple derees in Engineering, I left Product Design last year to persue the fine arts. I tought myself with books and constantly studying the "masters".

To visit my gallery go HERE.

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