Press (Educator)

A Legacy of Creativity

Goshen College News, November 23, 2015

 

Marvin Bartel has shaped a ceramics program that has cultivated a long list of potters, artists and teachers around the world.

 

Marvin Bartel, professor emeritus of art, has certainly left his mark on the Goshen College Art Department. When Bartel came to teach at Goshen College in 1970, the ceramics program rapidly grew as a focus for art majors and attracted students from other departments too. Bartel’s unique “try it and see” approach to teaching and learning and his students’ delight in the material and processes set the foundation for a program that remains popular to this day.

Learning the Art of Ceramics

The Goshen College Record, September 25, 2003
Martha Miller, Staff Writer

In the Hershberger Art Gallery, behind the earth tones and symmetry of 23 ceramicists’ works, lays the legacy of the art professor who taught them all: Marvin Bartel.

 

When Bartel first started teaching at Goshen College in 1970, there was no ceramics program. With the help of John Mishler, a student at the time and now a professional sculptor, Bartel proceeded to build the first kiln and made self-propelled potters’ wheels. From there, a ceramics program was formed that has left a lasting impression on the college.

A Ceramic Legacy – Marvin Bartel

Goshen College, Hershberger Art Gallery
September 20 – November 4, 2003

The identity of the Goshen College Art Department has often been linked to its strong ceramics program developed by the vision of Marvin Bartel. Marvin’s arrival in 1970 began a steady and impressive growth in the quality and range of ceramic activity in the department The exhibition of his ceramic work in regional and national venues and contributions to the field in fuel-efficient kiln building, publication of his writings in ceramic publications and especially his ability to engage and inspire students has brought recognition to Goshen College.

Goshen College… A Cultural  Center for the Community

Judith M. Davis, Editor | Goshen College Annual Report

1978 – 79

Sponsoring an art class for community children… inviting a constllation of stars to shine in its Artists Series… hosting “afternoon sabbaticals” on cults and cooking, art and economics… broadcasting good music and radio feeatures from its FM station on campus… featuring the talents of its faculty and students in events ranging from theatre of absurd to religious drama, from jazz concerts to classical oratorios, from photography to abstract art… Goshen College  conducts a year-long festival of the arts.

 

This President’s Report turns the spotlight on three departments – Art, Music, and Communication (Drama) – whose creative faculty and students generate much of the energy that animates the arts on campus.

Art Week for High School Students at Goshen College – Instruction by Marvin Bartel and Abner Hershberger

Art week for 19 high school students from Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Ontario, Canada, has concluded at Goshen Collegewitha show in the college art gallery. The students worked under Marvin Bartel and Abner Hershberger, members of the art faculty at the college, who led work in ceramics or etchings.

Art Guild Will Hear Professional

Fort  Wayne News – Sentinel
April 30, 1971

 

The Fort Wayne Artist’s Guild, an organization of local and area artists, will be showing in a guild exhibition and sale at the Glenbrook Mall June 2 to 6. Final day for notice of participation is May 1.

 

Judging for the special event is Marvin Bartel, associate professor of Art, Goshen College. a native of Hillsboro, Kas., director Bartel graduated from Bethel College, North Newton, Kas., with his masters from the University of Kansas and his Ed.D. from the University of Kansas.

Bartel Brings Skill and Kiln

By Mary Ann Halteman, The Goshen College Record, 1970

 

“I like to work so long as it’s play,” says GC’s new art professor, Dr. Marvin Bartel, who brings with him from the flat plains of Kansas a rare enthusiasm for the 3-D. Although he works (plays) in various two-dimensional veins of art, Bartel’s real masterpieces come out of the kiln. He is presently supervising the construction of a new and larger kiln on the southeast side of the old library where along with the future addition of several new pottery wheels GC art students will be turning out ceramic works like never before. But as Bartel says, “An art teacher must be an artist himself,” and doubtless much of the pottery to be fired in the new kiln will be formed from his own hands.