Faculty

Mary LaPorte

Enrica Lovaglio

Charmaine Martinez

Kathryn McCormick

Michael Barton Miller

Brian Priest

Dr. Jean Wetzel

Mary LaPorte

Professor

Graphic Design

Phone: 805.756.1155

Email: mlaporte@calpoly.edu

Office: Dexter 154

Courses taught: Art 232, Art 332, Art 333, Art 435, Art 460, Art 461, Art 462

Mary eagerly looked forward to her sabbatical, which began at the end of spring 2001 quarter. She research enviromental ecology as it relates to landscape painting. Although she has not had much time for freelance projects, she has done work for Martin Brothers Winery label illustration. She won awards from Wine Spectator for her work on the project.

Her biggest and most difficult project was done in honor of friend and former faculty member John Mendenhall. Mary organized infinite amounts of supplies, projects in progress, personal items, relocated them to the gallery and developed a wonderful show. She photographed every section of John's workshop, and recreated the entire workshop as last seen at John's house. Tools, robots, and even sawdust ere brought into the gallery to make an accurate display of John's workspace. Around the workspace on the gallery walls was a chronological timeline of his works. Catatlogs were make to explain John's work, his humor, and lasting impacts he had in the world of design and Cal Poly. Alumni Carolyn Taylor handled the design and reproduction of the catalogs, and Wendy Williamson Spellman, a printing rep at Colorgraphics secured the donation of printing of the Mendenhall catalog.

The biographical text was written by Dr. Keith Dills. The show was tremendously sucessful with an auction and sale of John's personal belongings, valuable collectable art pieces, and even some of his whimsical robots. Students and alumni, faculty members and people within the community showed great emotion at the final auction. Many felt like this was a chance to say goodbye to a friend.