STUDENT EXPERIENCE IN EXPERIMENTAL EDUCATION IN THE EARLY YEARS
(1933-43)

Introduction to the Sunley Project

INTRODUCTION TO THE SUNLEY PROJECT AND DOCUMENTS

Description of the Study by Robert Sunley
*   Letter to the Students
*   Guidelines
*   Brief Biographies of
    Contributors
*   Brief Biographies of
    Faculty Mentioned in
    the Memoirs *

SECTION 1. ROLE OF THE ARTS

    Statement by Robert
    Sunley

*  The artistic process as
    a major goal.

*   Individual, active
    anticipation was
    fostered but not
    required.

*   Focus on really “seeing”
    and “thinking” for
    oneself, not on the
    production of art.

*  Self-direction, self-
    discipline, initiative,
    development of the
    whole person....

*  The arts were diffused
    throughout the
    education ....    

Biographies are being written for each of the faculty and student contributors. An underlined name connects to a more lengthy biography. As information becomes available, each biography will be revised.

Surnames used at Black Mountain that are different than the surname presently used are in italics.

Commentators

MARY EMMA HARRIS.  Author of The Arts at Black Mountain College, Remembering Black Mountain College, and articles on Black Mountain College.

KATHERINE CHADDOCK REYONLDS. Author of Visions and Vanities, a biography of John Andrew Rice. Teaches at the University of South Carolina.

Faculty and Students

LEONARD BILLING (BMC 1938-41, 1951-52)   Designer/craftsman, making primiarly jewelry for over forty years. Lives in Connecticut with his wife.

ROBERT BLISS (BMC 1939-42)   Professor Emeritus of Architecture, University of Utah. Designs furniture. 

MARY BRETT DANIELS (BMC 1943-45)   Lives in Philadelphia. Has taught at several universities. Consultant for day care centers and in child guidance.

ALEXANDER ELIOT (BMC 1936-38)   Author of numerous books and articles on the arts and mythology. Lives in California with his wife. 

WILFRED G. HAMLIN (BMC 1940-43) Taught at Goddard College for many years. 

GISELA KRONENBERG HERWITZ (1940-43). Worked as an administrator and auditor in public health. 

BELA MARTIN (1937-  )  Air pilot. 

JANE MAYHALL (BMC 1937-40, 1944 summer). Writer of short stories, poetry, essays.

HAROLD RAYMOND (BMC 1938-42) Professor Emeritus of History at Colby College in Maine. Political counseling and speech writing.

SUE SPAYTH RILEY (BMC 1938-41). Teacher and author in the field of early education.

JOHN STIX  (BMC 1938-42) Stage director, acting teacher at Juilliard School since 1973. 

CLAUDE STOLLER (BMC 1939-43 fall)  Architect. Practiced in San Francisco Bay Area and taught at the University of California at Berkeley.

ROBERT SUNLEY (BMC 1936-39) Social worker. Worked in psychiatric clinics and social service agencies. Author of articles and books in social work.

JOHN MEREDITH SWACKHAMER (BMC 1939-43)  Composer and teacher. Taught at University of California at Berkeley. 

RENATE BENFEY WILKINS (BMC 1940-43)  Administrator. Retired Dean of Students at Mt. Holyoke College.

EMIL WILLIMETZ (BMC 1937-40)  Photographer and Filmmaker in Peru and the United States, conductor of international trips. Now retired.

SECTION 2. TEACHERS AND TEACHING

Introduction

Formal Aspects of the
Curriculum 
   Class Size 
   Grades    
   Advisors 
   Junior Division  
   Senior Division  
   Graduation

Methods of Teaching
   General
   John Andrew Rice 
   Josef Albers 
   Erwin Straus 
   Robert Wunsch 
   Others

Personalities of Faculty
   John Rice  
   Josef Albers 
   Robert Wunsch 
   Heinrich Jalowetz  
   Others 

Outside the Classroom
   In General  
   The Work Program 
   Visitors -
   Trips 
   Drama 
   Interlude  
   Lectures, Concerts 
   Informal Interchange