I’m waaaayyyy in the back…with bangs! :)
I’ve barely been back to PNCA (Pacific NW College of Art) since the big layoffs mid-COVID era. For decades, that school had my heart, my days. I will always be in love with the scent of oil paint, turpentine, acrylics, spray paint, burnishing, welding, ceramic clay dust, glazes, school supplies, ideas, creativity, making work, people…all of it.
I knew it first as the Museum Art School, a radical spot, and then later as PNCA when it moved into a former warehouse, and then I followed it into its current digs, the marble halls, high ceilings and pillars. Now it’s PNCA Willamette and I can’t claim to know it well, at all. It’s like an ex that’s remarried, moved, with a new haircut, changed in all ways. It merged with Willamette University, down in Salem, making it into a Portland branch, with mostly new faculty and new administration.
I went back to the building recently to celebrate the life of our former Dean, friend and mentor, Melissa McClure. Word is, she’s the Melissa behind the song of the same name, the Allman Brother’s song, “Melissa,” that most people call, “Sweet Melissa.” You know the song? It came out back in the 70’s, written in the 60’s, and is still getting airplay, most recently in an ad.
“…There are no blankets where he lies/Lord, in his deepest dreams the gypsy flies with/sweet Melissa/Mmmm-hmmmm”
At its best, art school builds community. Coming together in Melissa’s memory reminded me of the brilliance of so many, and what we’d built together.
She brought heart, patience and wisdom to the school. She conducted her job with love, style and compassion.
Part of her brilliance was in knowing that a small show of appreciation could go a long, long way—an origami piece in a mailbox, an actual leaf in fall, a note, a pretty cocktail at a Christmas party held in an unused part of the school, a joke, a smile. She kept us running along. She’s dearly missed.
Again, the morning’s come/Again he’s on the run/A sunbeam’s shining through his hair/Fear not to have a care/Well pick up your gear and gypsy roll on, roll on…
The song, “Melissa,” seems to be mostly about being far away, rambling, catching planes and looking back, longing for the home of the heart.
I mention the song because it’s part of her legacy as a creative person who inspired so many others.
At the memorial, I was grateful to be back, hanging out with former colleagues. Melissa had brought us together to work together and now again, in her memory.
Arvie Smith was there. He has paintings up at the Portland Art Museum right now, until mid-March. He’s amazing.
We were all still together at the school when Arvie was granted a “Lifetime Achievement award.”
Honored to have worked alongside him, and always glad to get to be in his presence.
Then there was Libby Farr, MK Guth, Nan Curtis, Roy Tomlinson, Becca Biggs, Emily Ginsburg, Mary Preis, David Eckard and so many more. Absolutely did my heart good to see them all.
Our Melissa (as we call her, around here) and Greg Allman were back in touch, in recent years, as they both underwent difficult medical treatment, from what I heard.
He passed away in 2017.
Melissa has left behind so many who loved her—her husband, family, all of us. Cheers, raising a glass!
Sometimes people ask if I’d recommend PNCA as a college option, now. I have no advice one way or another, the school has changed so much. But I always love art school.
Painting taught me aspects of writing. Looking teaches a person to see. Making work is a way to think. Most of all, permissive spaces make way for creative ways of life.
Grateful to have known Melissa McClure, through so much.
Love,
M