Awards
2008 Distinguished Teaching of Art Award
Ronald A. Leax, Washington University in St. Louis
Ronald A. Leax
Ronald A. Leax, the Halsey C. Ives Professor of Art at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, is the enthusiastic choice for CAA’s Distinguished Teaching of Art Award. Leax is a sculptor whose teaching philosophy, creative production, work ethic, and wisdom have dramatically influenced an army of students and colleagues.
Several of Leax’s former students noted that he is the ideal role model because of his commitment to the teaching of art, his extraordinarily high energy level, and his commitment to integrating art with life. It was not Leax’s pedagogical style, one former student wrote, “to present quick-fix solutions or provide pat answers but to generate options and opportunities.” “Ron is tough, honest, and provocative in a critique,” another added, “and he is uncompromising when it comes to the integrity of craft and sharpness of thinking.” A student recalls that on the first day of sculpture class, Leax declared, “First and foremost I view you as fellow artists.” He added that friendship with his fellow artists was more important to him than the student/teacher relationship.
Leax’s current and former colleagues speak with warmth and gratitude of his generosity, commitment, and leadership. His colleagues too see him as a role model: he has remained a productive artist with an outstanding exhibition record while also having served as director of graduate studies, associate dean, chair of the faculty, and area coordinator in sculpture.
Ronald A. Leax, Anatomism #4, 2005, stainless steel, glass, wire, latex hose, plastic, and medical equipment, 24 x 12 x 4 in. (artwork © Ronald A. Leax)
Leax did his undergraduate work at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and received his MFA degree from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. In 2002 he received the Washington University Alumni Association’s Distinguished Faculty Award. His exhibition record is extensive, and he has received grants from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Michigan Council for the Arts, the Missouri Arts Commission, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Jury: Michael Aurbach, Vanderbilt University, chair; Muriel Magenta, Arizona State University; Yong Soon Min, University of California, Irvine; and Lester Van Winkle, professor emeritus, Virginia Commonwealth University.
