2008 Woodie Awards
Mural creator strikes again
Aaron Wilcher / La Voz
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When he finished his MFA in 1994 at Mills College, Eugene Rodriguez knew he wanted to teach, but also that a big-name commercial gallery might pick up his artwork. That would have meant heading for the professional art world, gallery cocktail parties and high society.
It didn't happen.
"Then this job came up," he said, referring to his current position as director of the painting program at De Anza College, a job he has held for eight years.
As for the big auction houses in New York, Sotheby's and Christie's, that sell artwork to wealthy buyers, he said, "How close is that to me? Not very."
Rodriguez's community college teaching emphasizes the importance of each student's life and work along with wider social contexts on and off campus.
"Is it enough to train artists and then say goodbye? I don't think so," he said.
On an average day in his oil painting classes, Rodriguez moves between students, giving short critiques while John Coltrane music plays, pausing to consider each painting before offering suggestions and compliments.
But don't let his easygoing demeanor fool you. His critiques reveal a direct and serious attitude toward class and teaching that does not end at the easel. Many students remember Rodriguez for assigning readings in social criticism, not just technical training.
In 2001, Rodriguez was faculty adviser in an unofficial class to create a student mural at De Anza. The mural is located in the L-Quad, next to the espresso bar.
In spring 2007, Rodriguez will teach a class titled "Intro to Mural Painting: Community in Action."
Rodriguez plans to involve De Anza students off campus to create a small mural in the community. Students will read from a bibliography that includes books about the social history of mural making and theories of political art.
Between 2002 and 2005, three of Rodriguez's students who helped paint the 2001 mural, Maria Pugnetti, Josh Luke and Rebecca Hartman, received the Irwin Scholarship at the University of California, Santa Cruz. This is an award that takes the place of art department honors and carries a cash prize. Art faculty award it annually to undergraduate art students and showcase the best in a special exhibit.
Pugnetti regards the mural painting course as a touchstone for her work. "Eugene was always agitating and provoking us in ways that were very compelling," she said. "He kept a fire under us and inspired us by having faith in us."
Erin Kawamata, a former student now in a graduate program for photography, calls Rodriguez her first art teacher. "He is my foundation. He taught me the very first things I learned," she said. "I wouldn't be pursuing [this degree] if it weren't for him."
Rodriguez, a long way from his own art school musings of gallery fame, feels "blessed." In his own words: "I would never have thought I would be able to do all this."