Culture
Emeritus OU Professor’s Work On Display At FVRC
By: Emily Votaw
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Robert “Bob” D. Borchard has been a well known artist in the Athens County area for over 40 years, having taught art at Ohio University for three decades, starting in the mid-‘60s and retiring in 1996.
Tomorrow marks the unveiling of a special exhibition of over 80 pieces of his work at the Federal Valley Resource Center, on Route 329 in Stewart, featuring pieces crafted over the course of his long career, curated largely by his son, John Borchard.
“There are pieces from when he (Robert Borchard) was graduate student all the way up to the present,” said John. “It’s a retrospective.”
Borchard’s signature style is instantly recognizable, often comical and always a visual thrill. As someone who instructed everyone from highly gifted artists to those taking a casual art class as an elective over the duration of his educational career, Borchard has a unique and open-minded approach to creating.
“The interesting thing about drawing is that any mark that you make is so uniquely your own,” said Borchard. “Sometimes I’d have college kids who had a hard time drawing, people who say ‘I can’t draw, I can’t draw,’ but that’s not true. Everyone can draw. Just like everyone can sing. When it comes to making marks, whatever you make is your own. And it can be very exaggerated, but if it works – what the hell?”
Borchard mentioned that there will be a limited number of self portraits available for those who attend the exhibition, which will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. During the reception refreshments will be served.
