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Rod and Rosemary Buffington -- Artists, Educators
By: Bill StokesRod and Rosemary Buffington, separately and together, have a list of accomplishments that spans nearly three decades in Springfield and a decade before. From their artistic work to their contributions to art education, I was most impressed with the wisdom of their teaching as one of their biggest contributions to the arts in Springfield and throughout the nation.
Rosemary, a 28 year art education teacher at New Berlin High School, having just retired from her career, has not slowed down. She still keeps up her art interests in pastel painting and setting up the annual art exhibition at the Illinois State Fair and for recreation she travels around the world.
Rod, an art educator and artist, has worked in the world of art for most of his professional career. In Springfield he served as the Executive Director of the Springfield Art Association and while there brought art education to a new level. He expanded the summer school program and grew attendance from 120 to 900 students. He started the Edwards Place Fine Craft Fair. Together as gallery director at Eastern Illinois University and while at the Art Association he curated over 100 exhibitions.
Additionally, Rod serves in the community in ways unrelated to the Arts. The list of civic committees and organizations on which he served (and is serving) is extensive with a good deal of his time dedicated to Rotary International and the programs they create to serve our community and the world.
When I asked Rosemary what she did to help students become better artists, she replied that she taught them to not settle for the first idea that came to mind but to take it to the next step, to look for and find the extraordinary in their projects. Much to the chagrin of her students, she would push them to do just one more thing by telling them there is always something more you can do to improve your project. When she runs into her students later in their life, the most often spoken compliment she hears is, “Thanks! You really pushed me and I’m the better for it.” Many of her students went on to earn awards and honors with their art. Some may never have discovered their talent without her “gentle prodding” to find one more thing they can do to improve their project.
Creating art is like anything else in life, to be the best you can be, you have to dive in, learn the techniques and methods, then apply what you learn to whatever ideas you have. Although being a good critic of your own work makes for a better artist, both Rod and Rosemary emphasized the importance of having a positive attitude towards art to get the best out of yourself. Rosemary said she taught that the word “can’t” has to be replaced with “can” to bring forth the creativity. When students will say, about their own work that, “I like it that way,” Rod and Rosemary both are quick to say that there is something more you can do to improve any work of art.
Well known for his creative use of watercolor, designer fabrics and handmade paper canvas, Rod creates modern quilt art that captures the imagination. Although quilts generally display a geometric array of circles, squares and triangles using fabric, Rod’s art breaks out of the traditional mold. It is the uniqueness of his designs that earn him critical acclaim in the world of Art/Quilting. When he exhibits in art fairs, such as the Old Capitol Art Fair, he wins Blue Ribbons. His work is featured in books and magazines dedicated to the Art/Quilt world. His work has been traveling across the nation from one exhibit to the next since 1965.
Rod is asked on regular basis to be a juror or curator in art exhibitions because of his ability to recognize art of a high caliber and judge the pieces on their artist achievement. His modality of education focuses on expanding the mind of the student. He teaches students to look in other non-obvious directions to find inspiration to take their art to the next level.
Rod and Rosemary believe that their contributions to scholastic art, their common values in helping others through art education and their involvement in the art community are the bonds that keep their marriage strong.
In touring their lovely home, every room presented a wonderful (and extensive) display of art collected throughout the world. One would think that such a diverse collection would be hard to display and find the “right place”. Much to my surprise everything looked beautiful and every piece looked like it was “happy” to be where it was placed
