I was able to sit down with Emeritus Professor of Art, Don Ruedy, and talk to him about his time at UW-Barron County, a two-year campus in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. During our conversation he shared some of his thoughts about art, and about teaching. He also talked about his philosophy on learning, not just in college, but throughout life.

One observation I made about Ruedy from my interview with him is that he is a prolific aphorist, with several adages such as,

Professor Ruedy taught art on this campus for 35 years, from 1969 to 2004. He has also been a Renaissance man who never stops learning, whether the subject be music, literature, art, theatre, or karate. He is always asking “why?” and “how” and, perhaps, most importantly, “why not?”

One observation I made about Ruedy from my interview with him is that he is a prolific aphorist, with several adages such as,

“When the student is ready, the teacher will be there.”

and

“Art is the lie that reveals the true.”

I hope Ruedy’s thoughts on art, education, and life provoke reflection in you as they have in me.