Tara Lewis
Although some may think that art and math have nothing in common, Art Instructor Tara Lewis believes that the two disciplines are innately similar. “I always tell students that drawing and painting is like…solving a math problem. There isn’t one way to do it, and it’s a universal language and communication tool,” she said. Through her personal projects and gallery exhibitions, Lewis naturally models this multifaceted approach to art for her students.
A descendant of Art Nouveau artist Alphonse Mucha, Lewis said she sees “a genetic link to visual acumen and aesthetics in [her] lineage.” She first became interested in art when she started drawing pictures and lettering text from magazines and album covers. From there, she discovered pop art and worked in design at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. However, she desired a deeper connection with art viewers, and began volunteering every Saturday to teach art lessons for children.
Lewis joined the Academy’s art department in 2002. Since then, she has taught all levels of studio art, including painting, 3-D design, drawing and photography. Lewis believes her passion for all forms of art keeps students engaged in her classes. “It is paramount to enjoy the energy and character of teenagers in order to teach them,” she said. “I am reminded daily of how fun it is to be in a highly creative art studio with a range of personalities.”
In her classes, Lewis “want[s] students to want to come back to class the next day and be excited about growing creatively and technically” and thus“strive[s] to make the environment accessible, fun and motivating.” Lower Ela Andreassen witnessed Lewis’ enthusiasm firsthand as a student and found Lewis “really encouraging and always push[ing] her students to their best potential.”
Lewis seeks not only to improve her students’ techniques but to push them to experiment with their art. Senior Pepper Pieroni particularly finds inspiration under Lewis’ guidance. “She’s like my partner in crime—there’s really no one else I can bounce ideas off of that gets me,” he said. “We spend hours talking about projects that we’d like to do…in the future. She’s like my brainstorming partner, and there’s not a lot of people in my life like that.”
Because of Lewis’ dedication to teaching, Exeter has awarded her both the Charles E. Ryberg ’63 Teaching Award and the Rupert Radford Teaching Fund Award. In addition to her commitments as the chair of the art department, Lewis has served as a dorm affiliate of Hoyt Hall and Merrill Hall, dorm head of Gould House, an admissions committee member and an advisor to the school yearbook (PEAN).
Lewis has also been featured in many art shows outside of the Exeter community. Her artwork has been displayed in private collections all over the world, including cities such as Copenhagen, Singapore and London. “I think it is so important to be in touch with [the global arts scene]. It’s super important to be aware of what’s happening in the professional art world to best prepare and teach art students at Exeter,” she said. This year alone, Lewis has participated in art shows in New York and had drawings published in a coloring book alongside prominent contemporary artists, including the late Keith Haring.
Above all, Lewis believes in the power of emotion in art. “You can have incredibly innate skills and draw like a wizard, but without ideas and content in the work, it’s not as effective,” she said. “I think the best artwork is infused with the artist’s interests, life experiences and personality.”