THE WORLD CHANGED ANYWAY

Chapter 4: From Art Class to Scholarships

By the time I reached high school, I had developed a strong and reliable instinct for finding my way into art classes and out of most everything else. This arrangement suited me well, as I had yet to discover any great talent for subjects that required sitting still and agreeing with the teacher.

My art teacher, however, took a different view of me. He seemed to think I had ability, which was encouraging, though a little suspicious. Instead of leaving me to my own devices, he put me to work.

Before long, I was involved in producing school posters using silk screening, which sounded educational but behaved very much like a job. There were deadlines, expectations, and the uncomfortable understanding that if I did not finish on time, someone would notice. Still, it had one great advantage. It removed me from classes I had no affection for, which I considered a fair exchange for labor.

It was the first time I learned that if you become useful enough in one area, people will excuse you from several others.

At some point, my teacher decided to submit one of my posters to a national contest sponsored by the Kiwanis Club. He did not consult me on the matter, which was wise, as I might have found a reason to object.

The poster won.

This came as a surprise to me, though I accepted it without protest. The prize was a full scholarship to the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles, which sounded important enough that I immediately began to behave as though I had planned it all along.

Looking back, I see that this was another of those moments where someone else recognized an opportunity before I did and was kind enough, or determined enough, to push me into it anyway.

It is a fortunate thing when that happens, though at the time it can feel like being volunteered for something you do not yet understand.