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I took art classes from Mr. (now Dr.) Zaller all four years at Booker T. While my style of drawing was more suited to Mr. Thomas' drafting class, Mr. Zaller never stopped encouraging me to try something new, and finally developed a grudging acceptance for my attempts at realism.
One of his most lasting lessons was a line he used to use: "It's good, but is it art?" Amazing how many things in life that line can be adapted to! Mary Fusco ('82) and I ran into him at Barnes & Noble at Southroads last weekend. He's at TU now, and other than a surprisingly low number of grey hairs, and a few extra pounds, he hasn't changed a bit. Rick |
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About midway through my senior year at BTW, I had a meltdown with my theatre teacher, dropped out of theatre and since that was my main reason for sticking around, was thinking of finishing early, my credits all completed.
Andy Zaller had been my art teacher since I started at BTW and he knew my dad from the Art business and was the one faculty member who recognized the situation and went out of his way to create a "Independant Art Studio" just to try to keep me in school through the end of the year. (It worked, by the way) I have heard that he has since done the same for students. I think I may have only had one other teacher in my life that was as serious about helping students through whatever. I am sure that there are hundreds of students out there that hold him fondly in their hearts. He is LOVING his job at TU and we get together whenever posible to hang out. That is, when he's not calling me to have him come over and fix his computer! (Sorry babe, I know I have been ducking you lately  )He is getting serious now in an artistic way as well. He has been doing work in mixed media, and I do mean mixed. He is combining old world mixed media with computer graphics. Quite nice stuff, if I do say so. He has been successful in a few shows locally and has one lined up soon if not now at (I believe) University of Tenn. If you would like me to help you hook up with old Z man get with me: rbowe@worldnet.att.net RB |
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Andy was the first art teacher I ever had that thought I totally sucked, I'd always gotten high marks for being creative until then. He didn't tell me to my face, or through my grade. I found out when my parents came home from 'back to school' night and said he'd been oddly quiet to them, so they confronted him and said 'she's great, isn't she...' He told them 'no, she's not. in fact, she's not good at all...' So I switched into driver's ed the next semester. No harm, no foul - I even thought it was funny at the time.
But I didn't give up art, I transferred into Stilley's classes for the remaining 2 yrs and did really well. With her help, my portfolio landed me a full scholarship to college. The moral of this story is that beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. Also, it's great to have many teachers of the same discipline because they'll each have a unique perspective - and connect better with certain students. [This message was edited by pam on Fri January 16 2004 at 01:34 PM.] |
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I had Andy Zaller for one semester of "Art for Donkeys" or something, and his influence has stayed with me since. He taught me how to SEE colors and shadows, and gave me so much positive self esteem with my paintings and drawings. Maybe they sucked but to him they were great. He made me feel like I could be a Picasso.
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Big grins for Mr. Z! I loved that man and his class. I still CANNOT say the word "purple" without thinking of him! Anyone else remember how he used to force you to use another adjective like lavender or plum? Great guy! He was a great caring teacher who (I think) was genuinely interested in his students and WAYYYY cool.
Shelley |
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Zaller was my mentor for four years at BTW and I don't care what anyone else says, there is no violet, only purple (and various related shades)!
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I really enjoyed his classes. He really pushed me to try new things with my work. My senior year he had me put some cartoon drawings up on the wall near what used to be the debate/drama department (RIP old building).
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I would love to see Dr. Zaller's current work at at art show. How do I get on his mailing list? Julie Skalla Farmer, '80 |
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That is great about dr. zaller. I took some art classes and ended up going to osu-okmulgee for commercial art of all things. Does he have email or web page of art work in tenn?
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