Emmet Gowin, Elijah and Donna Jo, Danville, Virginia, 1971

On the occasion of Emmet Gowin’s retirement from teaching at Princeton, the Princeton University Art Museum will show Emmet’s work in tandem with the work of students from his 36 years at the University. (http://artmuseum.princeton.edu/events/Extended_Pages/Gowin09/) I am very excited to be a part of this show, in no small part because it is an opportunity to get together with fellow Princeton artists who I haven’t seen in many many years, as well as a time to meet other students who preceded or followed my time studying with Emmet.

I always loved this image of Emmet’s; it was part of one of our spring portfolios (where we all made prints to share, and it being Princeton and Emmet’s class, we had to mat all the images and store them in archival handmade canvas covered portfolios). It will be in the upcoming show and I am embarassed to admit I have misplaced it. It got stored away during a move and I cannot find it despite numerous searches. My mother assures me it will surface and since she is a Mom and she Knows Things, I’m taking her word.

Late last year I sent Emmet my Right Coast book with a note, and received his and his son’s book Maggie, and a note in return. Emmet wrote generously regarding my work, words of praise that I do not take lightly and as a teacher of many students, ones I hope  someday to give.