Lindenwood Magazine - Spring / Summer 2020

ABLO PICASSO ONCE SAID, “EVERY CHILD IS AN ARTIST. THE PROBLEM IS HOW TO REMAIN AN ARTIST ONCE WE GROW UP.” Dr. Anthony Scheffler and Dr. Ricardo Delgado, deans of the schools of education and sciences, respectively, seem to have figured that out. Aside from their shared title, both are also talented practicing artists. Scheffler, who came to Lindenwood in the spring of 2018, often finds himself in his studio discovering new ways to manipulate wood to create contemporary vessels, teapots, and wall hangings. Delgado, who has worked at the university since fall of 2006, can be found designing and building acoustic and electric guitars, among other artistic pursuits. When not in the office or teaching chemistry, Delgado is working on his guitars, as well as leather working, painting, and knitting. Delgado credits his mother for his vast interest in contrasting media. Throughout his childhood he watched her paint, sculpt, take photos, work with leather, and much more. “I don’t think there has been a kind of artwork that my mother didn’t excel at,” said Delgado. As for the chemist in him, he credits his father’s side of the family. Delgado says both sides have played an enormous role on shaping his professional career and his love for art. Much of Delgado’s artwork is influenced by family. His most recent piece, “Dia de Los Muertos,” was built in memory of his grandmother. The guitar is made from mahogany and flamed maple woods with abalone, ebony, and mother of pearl inlays. The design was in part motivated by a question about how the sound would be affected by inverting the body of the guitar and adding a second sound hole. Delgado keeps this piece in his office as the centerpiece of his “offrenda,” which celebrates his family and heritage. Although Delgado is well known for his woodworking skills, he tends to go where his work takes him, often completing commissions for specific requests along the way. “I don’t know that there is any art form I prefer,” said Delgado. “I do so many things, it tends to be based on what I’m most interested in at the time and where the muse takes me.” Delgado says art is much more than just a hobby for him, especially when it comes to things like painting and woodworking. “I think there is a Zen or meditative nature to my pursuits,” he said. “They center me and allow me to de-stress after a long workweek.” Scheffler, too, works with his hands to create new works of art from wood. Having grown up in New Orleans, Scheffler was fascinated with how local architecture gave context to and enriched the characteristic smells, sounds, and shadows of the unique community. Scheffler began exploring through art and contemporary craft the power and appeal of simple shapes. Although best known for his unique slab-built wooden teapots, Sheffler creates small wood sculptures—categorized as open and closed vessels—as well as conceptual pieces of wall art. Scheffler describes his work as “functional imagery.” He sees it as an expression of an idea and something that he hopes has a unique aesthetic that people want to be around. Wood is his favorite medium, because it is readily available and he likes the texture, color variation, and the ease in which it can be shaped. Scheffler at one time dropped out of the traditional career track for several years to focus exclusively on art; it is undeniable that art is more than just a hobby to him. “I think about it almost obsessively at times, and that is an important dimension of practice,” Scheffler said. “Finding the time to actually get into a workspace, however, has been a challenge.” Scheffler has a studio space at the Abraham Mohler Studio in Soulard, where he works freely and enjoys the comradery among other artists, whom he credits as “inevitably talented and always willing to share with and support each other.” “I really enjoy working at Lindenwood, and that is my priority, but hopefully, now that I have a functional workspace among other artists, I will be able to spend more time practicing my artwork,” said Scheffler. “Not only is art a means of expression, it allows entry into a community of working artists and makers who I find are less stressed by societal expectations and more often fixed on exploring meaning.” Scheffler’s work can be found in private and corporate collections, including the Fluer Bresler Collection and the permanent collection of the Kamm Teapot Foundation. n P THE ART OF BALANCE Dean Duo Displays Dual Talents by Alexandra Bardon 6 | SPRING/SUMMER 2020 SPRING/SUMMER 2020 | 7 Purple Tea by Anthony Scheffler Dr. Anthony Scheffler shows his piece Scarred Tectonic in his Soulard studio space. Outstanding FACULTY A personal collection of Delgado’s hand-built guitars. Dr. Ricardo Delgado at work in Lindenwood’s MakerSpace on his piece titled Luna y Estrella, Spanish for moon and stars, which can be seen in his inlaid Abalone shell and mother of pearl design.