In 1977, I came to Art Center as a graduate student in Fine Art, and was assigned to three advisorsone of them, Dwight Harmon.

This guy immediately fascinated mehis was a mixture of strongly disciplined process and wildly speculative experimentation. By the time I graduated, his ideas had become embedded in my own. Everything I've done since, and I would imagine everything his other students have done as well, has had a little part of Dwight in it.

He was a multiple recipient of Art Center's Great Teacher Award. He earned his B.F.A. from the college in 1969, and his M.F.A. in 1971. He made paintings, sculpture, airplanes, walls, buildingshe could make anything. Dwight mixed the weirdest assortment of stuff into paint, and taught us all to be fearless.

One night in 1996 after teaching his class Dwight was accosted by strangers near the home he and his wife Maria were building in San Bernardino. Dwight was beaten, and tragically died from his injuries.

A memorial scholarship fund was established in Dwight's name, and now has nearly $98,000 in itmaking it one of the largest of Art Center's resources for financial assistance to students. Maria Rendon Harmon has donated 15 of Dwight's paintings for auction, to help increase the fund and continue its vital contribution to the college.

I hope you'll help, and in turn acquire a memento of this truly great person and unforgettable Art Center teacher.

Stephen Nowlin
M.F.A., Fine Art, 1978
Creative Director, Art Center Online

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