It’s a little-known fact that Texas Woman’s University in Denton launched the first-ever studio art program in a public university in Texas. Most of the teachers in the inaugural program, at what was then Texas State College for Women, studied at Columbia University in New York City. They were taught primarily by Arthur Wesley Dow, who also mentored the great Georgia O’Keeffe.
One of the more talented artists educated at Columbia was Carlotta Corpron, whose photographs have long been documented as pillars in the history of photography. And, of course, Corpron’s work is a cornerstone of the show at PDNB. “She is very notable in our world,” says gallery director Missy Finger. “Since we opened the gallery in 1995, we have been interested in following Carlotta and the history of her students.”The show contains 40 pieces, most of which are photographs.