By The Observer Staff
Photo courtesy of MWCC
Gene A. Cauthen, Sculpture and Drawing professor, has died.
During Cauthen’s 35 years teaching at MWCC, he served as both the East Wing Gallery Director, Chair of the Art Department, and was the school’s first Sculpture professor. The early success of the art program was due, in large part, to Cauthen, as he was one of the founding members.
Photo courtesy of MWCC
Cauthen was a strong advocate for a curriculum based around sculpture. He taught mold making and bronze casting, and for 50 years, MWCC has remained the only community college in the state that offers bronze casting to art students.
Joyce Miller, Art Professor and current East Wing Gallery Director, had this to share about Cauthen:
“Gene was one of the most optimistic and positive faculty. He always offered encouragement to students and colleagues and had a great eye for seeing potential in students and their art; often where others may not. He was so generous with his time and spent hours helping students with their bronze pieces; whether it was chipping them out of the molds or creating the perfect patina for the piece with a torch and chemicals. I always enjoyed our in-depth conversations about art, films, books and hearing stories about family, college or life growing up in Texas in the 1940s. He was a brilliant man, an impressive artist and was like no other person I have ever met. I am so glad that our paths intertwined. I cherish my memories of working with him, sharing a studio, his insightful book recommendations and his enthusiasm for life and art. He will be truly missed.”
Art Professor, Thomas Matsuda, spoke of Cauthen’s work and his love for teaching:
“Gene Cauthen was an invaluable part of MWCC’s art department. He was instrumental in setting up the sculpture program and studio. He designed and started bronze casting, clay figure sculpture with armatures, plaster mold-making, plaster casting, and kiln firing in the sculpture studio. Gene taught 3D Design and all levels of Sculpture and Drawing. When Gene retired, I took his place. I sat in on Gene’s classes and he mentored me in his bronze casting technique. I sincerely believe Gene was a genius. I learned so much listening to him teach and instruct his students. As with many gifted artists, his comments would sometimes perplex his students. It took patience to realize his brilliance and absorb his valuable words.
I visited Gene at his home studio and admired his own work. He did many public art commissions with many permanent statues around Boston. He was a talented painter and draftsman. He had many of his drawings displayed in his office. Because of his talent and passion, he was a great drawing professor as well as a sculptor.
Gene was the gallery director of the East Wing Gallery for many years. He cared so much for art students and their artwork. The permanent collection displayed in the art wing is all purchased student artwork. Many of the sculptures were Gene’s students. Gene assisted his students in putting beautiful patinas (colors) on them. He was passionate about the artwork and in turn was very protective and made sure it was safe.”
Art Professor John Pacheco shared his thoughts on Cauthen’s talent and renown:
“Gene Cauthen began his art education as a painter and was later accepted at Yale Graduate School as a sculptor. He brought his exceptional talents and knowledge to MWCC early in the formation of the Art Department. He introduced and ran bronze casting at the College, a facility rare among two year art programs. He accompanied then President Daniel Asquino to Washington, DC, along with a student who he inspired to paint a picture of downtown Gardner for the hanging of the work in Mark Gearan’s office in the Capitol. He initiated the very popular High School Art Competition held annually in the East Wing Gallery. He presented innumerable exhibits as Gallery Director and fostered the purchase and hanging of many student pieces in the College. Professionally, several of his commissioned bronzes are on permanent display in Cambridge and Boston including two monumental pieces: a fountain in Worcester Square and an angel on the wall of the Gund building on Mass Ave. He was much loved and admired by his students for his patient dedication as a teacher and his many contributions to the quality of art education at MWCC.”
A quote from Cauthen, found on the MWCC website, reads:
“My years of teaching in the Art Department, in a close collaboration with my fellow teachers, was a most memorable aspect. I was pleased to have set up and developed a bronze casting facility for the sculpture department. The level of the students who went through the art program and beyond made it the rich experience it was.”
The latest exhibit, held in the East Wing Gallery, was the 50th Anniversary Exhibition of the Art Department, which celebrated Cauthen’s work and dedication to the college, along with the work of Jean Tandy and John Pacheco, the three original Art Department faculty.
There is also a fundraiser aimed at purchasing one of Cauthen’s cast bronze figurative pieces for the Art Department’s Permanent Collection of Art. The fundraiser is expected to hit its’ goal soon.
Online donations are accepted at: mwcc.edu/giving, or call 978-630-9387, or mail checks to MWCC Foundation.
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