Lori Ryker and W. Gary Smith have been selected as the College of Art and Design’s 2011-12 Marie M. Bickham Chair and Nadine Carter Russell Chair, respectively.
The two chair positions are reserved for specialized experts who can help students and professors improve in their areas of expertise.
Ryker, executive director of the Artemis Institute in Livingston, Mont., and Smith, landscape architect and artist, applied online for the positions through a process involving curriculum submissions, portfolio pieces and statements of personal interest.
Van Cox, professor and interim director of the Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture, said faculty and alumni made several nominations, including Ryker and Smith, both of whom will be compensated for their travels and time as chairs.
Cox said the University typically looks for candidates who have spent extended time practicing and are specialized in certain fields — something many faculty members cannot offer. He said the school was especially looking for experts in plant material because this is one of the areas in which the school seeks to improve.
“We want to get them thinking more creatively about plant materials and the outdoors in general,” Cox said.
He said hands-on, outdoor experiences assist students in developing creative perspectives.
Cox said the school made the best decision for the strength of its programs. He said Ryker brings a creative yet structured perspective on natural systems, while Smith contributes a more artistic component.
Ryker said her plans for the year include a series of three lectures and research on the area wetlands. She said she hopes to include students in her research project as opportunities arise.
Cox said Ryker will lead the Cox said Ryker will lead the college’s “Design Week” in January — a week during which classes are canceled and students are grouped into teams for a competition in which they will solve a problem Ryker presents. Cox said Ryker will also assist with classes in the School of Architecture in the spring.
Ryker said she hopes to share her knowledge and experiences with students to help them “understand the relationship between design and the natural public.”
Cox said Smith will lecture three times in the spring and will remain in Baton Rouge for two weeks during one of his lecture visits to lead workshops and prepare an exhibition.
Smith said he will be spending time teaching in studio classes, and he said his teaching style is spontaneous and tailored to the interests of students.
“There’s no formula for design. As a professor, I don’t have any formula for teaching,” Smith said as he described how he applies this “spontaneity” principle to all areas of his life.
Smith said spontaneity, knowledge of plants and consideration of beauty are areas in which many students and working professionals could use improvement. He said many practitioners become “formulaic” in their designs and forget to consider color, form and pattern to develop the beauty of a space.
Smith said he will use his book, “From Art to Landscape: Unleashing Creativity in Garden Design,” to introduce students to concepts he plans on communicating during his time at the University.
Smith said he hopes to assist University students in understanding the role of art in design. He said designers should question themselves and engage their audiences through curiosity.
“Design solves problems, but art raises questions,” he said.
 
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Contact Catherine Parsiola at [email protected]