Arthur Efland

He was born on April 20, 1929, in New Haven, Connecticut, son of the late Jake Efland and Mary Berman. He is survived by his wife Jenny, devoted son David, loving daughter-in-law Amy, and adoring grandson Eric.

Arthur graduated from New Haven State Teachers College (now Southern Connecticut State University) with a teaching degree in 1952 and earned a Master of Science at the University of Connecticut in 1954. He received his Doctorate in Education from Stanford University in 1965.

Though small in stature, he was truly a giant in his field as well as a skilled artist. Among other accomplishments, he was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Industrial Arts in Helsinki, Finland, and held Visiting Scholar appointments in Spain, Brazil, Australia, Japan, Sweden, Canada, and his beloved Taiwan.

Arthur was a gifted teacher who taught arts and art education in West Hartford, Essex, Deep River, and Chester, Connecticut, as well as Millbrae, California, where he started the school district's arts program. In higher education, he taught at Stanford University, Fresno State College, and California State University at Los Angeles before joining the Art Education Faculty at The Ohio State University in 1965. At OSU, Arthur served as a professor of Art Education and mentor to countless students until retiring in 1996. He continued his engagement with students and OSU as a Professor Emeritus for a decade thereafter.

His colleagues at the National Art Education Association (NAEA) honored him with numerous national awards including the June King McFee Award, the Manual Barkin Award, NAEA Distinguished Fellow, and the Lowenfeld Memorial Lecture. Miami University recognized his career spanning influence in 2003 with its Achievement Award for influential leadership in art education.

His art appeared in numerous juried exhibitions between 1951-1962 across the country. Additionally, He displayed his art, which included oil and watercolor paintings and photography in dozens of shows over his lifetime.

Spanning decades of prolific work, his many publications are among the most influential in his field. They include Art Education's foundational books A History of Art Education: Intellectual and Social Currents in Teaching the Visual Arts(1990) and Art and Cognition: Integrating the Visual Arts in the Curriculum(2002). He also authored the elementary and secondary guidelines in art education for the State of Ohio, which earned an award for excellence from NAEA.

Arthur's dedication to his students and research was but one facet of an extraordinary life that enriched his many friends and family. "Art," as he was known to those close to him, was a gentle man whose learned ways, generosity, and love endured him to many. He was devoted to his mother, who was widowed when Arthur was just ten months old. He shared his life with his wife, Jenny, a fellow artist, who he believed was the best thing to ever happen to him. Art's greatest joy, however, was his son David. He often spoke of their many fishing trips to Canada, hours of father-son conversation and a joint presentation the two did at the 2000 NAEA Conference in Los Angles on what Art Educators and City Planners can teach each other.

Art had a special relationship with his childhood friends Robin and Marny White and their children with whom he shared a love of the outdoors. He especially valued their backpacking expeditions in the High Sierras and cross-country travels. The White's provided a life-long friendship and guidance to Arthur that shaped the arch of his existence. He also had a particular fondness for Janet Younger, who provided care, friendship, and laughs in his later years and to whom he was eternally grateful.

To his family, he was just "Pop" - kind and caring, quick with an infectious smile and hearty belly laugh -the kind that just made you smile - all the while teaching you something even when you just didn't quite get it at first, but would later. He lived for good salami, a pleasant summer day to work in his garden, and to discuss baseball as well as life with his grandson, Eric.

Due to the current international health situation, there will be no memorial service. The family is extremely grateful to the staff at the Inn at Olentangy Trail and Capital City Hospice for their loving and devoted compassion and care.

If you are so inclined, please donate in memory of Arthur Efland to one of the following:

Capital City Hospice - https://capitalcityhospice.com/donate

Sierra Club - https://www.sierraclub.org/ways-to-give

Mid-Ohio Food Bank - https://give.midohiofoodbank.org