History
Staff
Community Partnerships
Administrative Staff
History of SOA
"The School has been a place for students of all ages and backgrounds to exchange ideas, dream dreams, learn new ways to express themselves, and further the whole idea that art (written, painted and otherwise) is, indeed, a necessity in a happy, everyday life." ~Robert Gard, Founder of SOA
In the summer of 1964, about 50 students joined six writing instructors in northern Wisconsin for the first School of the Arts at Rhinelander. Since then SOA has grown to include more than 300 student and staff participants and the more than 40 workshops available during the one-week program.
The talented UW-Madison and Extension professor, author, and innovator Robert E. Gard built the school on many of his core beliefs: the importance of a supportive environment to help people grow as artists, the power of every individual to express themselves through one or more forms of the arts, and the Wisconsin Idea of bringing the resources of the university to the citizens of the state.
In 1967, Gard wrote and received the first grant ever awarded to rural America by the National Endowment for the Arts. This project, entitled "The Arts in the Small Community," would enable five rural towns in Wisconsin, most of which had little "arts infrastructure," to experiment with designing a program of participatory arts for themselves. Over three years, Gard and his staff worked with these communities to establish and sustain their own arts programs and resources. Results of this effort included state-wide tours by professional companies, the School of the Arts at Rhinelander, and the start of the Northern Arts Council.
Members of the local community were key in planning the school. Among them was Ced Vig, Superintendent of the Rhinelander School District. Vig worked with the School Board to provide a place for this workshop, initially a three-week experience, to thrive and grow. His legacy is carried on today as School of the Arts is housed in Rhinelander's Crescent Elementary School. For decades the City of Rhinelander, the Rhinelander School District, the Northern Arts Council, the Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce, and other community leaders and organizations have supported SOA.
Initially the School of the Arts focused on writing and involved many well-known authors and teachers. Farmers and community members from northern Wisconsin were encouraged to share their stories. August Derleth, the prolific Sauk City author, served as writer-in-residence from 1965 until his death just before the 1971 School.
As SOA expanded to include other art forms, the list of prominent guest instructors from across the country grew to include Robert Bly, Studs Terkel, Jesse Stuart, Dale Wasserman, Mark Harris, A.B. Guthrie, Harry Mark Petrakis, Archibald MacLeish, and Valfred Thelin. Well-respected Wisconsin teachers — such as Tere Rios, Robert Blei, and Gard himself — returned year after year to inspire developing artists.
In 1985, Harv Thompson took over as the Director of School of the Arts. With his warm welcome for students and kind demeanor, Professor Thompson was the friendly face of SOA for almost 20 years. He took School of the Arts to a new level by adding more workshops, connecting community partners, and expanding the financial assistance program to make the week more affordable for dozens of participants.
In a spirit of collaboration and support, Professor Thompson designed events that brought people together throughout the week. He introduced mid-day forums that featured artists or authors; he started the Open House that invited community members to spend the evening with students and faculty; and he implemented the mini-class series, allowing students and visitors to try an art form that had sparked their curiosity. Professor Thompson retired in 2004; he still plays a key role in the planning process by serving as a member of the Advisory Committee.
Staff
Lynn Tarnoff, director of School of the Arts, brings to the program a wealth of experience as an award-winning artist in watercolor, mixed media, and functional and wearable art; successful gallery cofounder and business entrepreneur; inspiring art teacher; and community health, education, and art development administrator. Her artwork is in private collections across the country. Lynn is also a community planning coordinator for UW-Madison Continuing Studies and has degrees in administration and education from Central Michigan University and St. Joseph College. You can find out more about Lynn and her artwork at http://lynn.tarnoff.info.
Community Partners
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Liberal Studies and the Arts acknowledges with appreciation our School of the Arts partners:
AAUW Rhinelander-Northwoods Branch
ArtStart
City of Rhinelander, Office of the Mayor
Downtown Rhinelander, Inc.
Nicolet College
Northern Arts Council
UW Extension - Oneida County
Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce
Rhinelander District Library
Rhinelander School Board on behalf of the District
Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets (WFOP)
Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation (WROF)
and the many individuals, civic clubs, associations, and local businesses for their contributions to the School of the Arts program.
Administrative Staff
Jan Severson
Lori O'Neill