I came upon the word “polymath” in a review by Michael Kimmelman in the New York Times. It means: “a person of great learning in several fields”.
I know a lot of people who know a LOT about one thing, but the only true polymath in my personal experience has been David Goodwin. On the art faculty at Coe College since 1974, David could speak spontaneously and compellingly about the visual, literary, cinematic, and performing arts. Because of his love for his subject, I loved listening to David talk about anything, but especially art. An instinctual teacher, David’s explanations endowed images and objects from remote cultures and times with an urgent immediacy.
So, conjure the most tritely beautiful spring morning of crystal blue skies and sunshine. Birds are singing and a light breeze gently lifts newly leaved boughs on the trees. This is what it was like this past April when David and I approached each other while passing between buildings on campus. In silent, smiling acknowledgment, we noted the deliciousness of the moment. Then, like a figure in a William Steig illustration, large, ungainly David broke into a joyous skip - his arms swinging from side to side in child-like arcs.
On this past Wednesday, David laid down for a nap, and never awoke. His passing is a colossal blow to the department in which I enjoy the diverse company of people who are dear to me. His presence in our circle is, indeed, irreplaceable.
8 Comments
Good evening, I am a former student of both you and David and the words you wrote were PERFECT! David was also my advisor and pushed me to be more than just an artist. He will be missed dearly but never forgotten. Oh and the part about him skipping, I seem to recall a time when he did the same thing. Thank you Priscilla!
Patti, I’m so glad that this rang true with you. I remember you well from our life drawing class. It was YOU who taught me that it was possible to abscond with a sweet roll from the Thursday Forum spread. I hope all’s well!
Priscilla
Priscilla,
I wish you would let Peter or someone post your memories of David on his Remembering David Goodwin Facebook page. I would not have even known about your blog had I not seen your daughter’s post there in which she included a link to your blog. I went there right away, and I was so moved by what you had written.
It’s funny, there are many professors who are well known to be favorites of many students. I had no idea so many felt that way about David. Not being an art person (at least not beyond Intro to Art) I was never honored to experience him in the classroom, and he rarely had work for me when I was secretary in Hickok, so our paths rarely crossed. It is only now I feel I am beginning to know the man, the muse.
Peachie
I’m the news editor of the Coe Cosmos. You say some beautiful things here–could I have permission to quote you for our upcoming article about Goodwin?
You might like to know how to contact me! My e-mail address is jeschnel@coe.edu. Much thanks.
Hello Priscilla,
Like Peachie, I did not know of your blog until I read Maggie’s Facebook posting. What a wonderfully written piece, your memory of David: such joy in life, observation, and experience.
Coe offered a great education, and I miss the classes and the people there. Although I graduated before you began teaching at Coe, I remember attending figure drawing workshops at Campbell-Steele Gallery, and that you helped me immensely when I was having a difficult time turning my life back toward art. Thank you.
Congratulations on the expansion of the gallery–it looks like a great place to be!
Best regards,
Erin Wells
I too found the link here through the Facebook page. Thank you so much for your wonderful memories of my uncle Dave, a man I loved very very much. He is missed every single day by me and my young children. They called him Grandpa.
Marie,
I know that you and your children gave David great happiness. What a comfort in the face of your loss!
I find myself wondering (often and repeatedly) these days about various drawings, projects, and artists and thinking, “What would David have said about this?”