Robert Lax Week: March 4 – 8, 2013

Robert Lax Week
Robert Lax at St. Bonaventure, October 1990      

See St. Bonaventure University's

 

Robert Lax, who spent a significant part of his life in Olean, remains a well-known poet, artist, spiritual thinker, mentor and friend to many, including Thomas Merton. Lax will be the subject of a week-long series of lectures, performances, and discussions on March 4–8.

 

Highlights of the week include three lectures by noted Lax scholar Dr. Steve Georgiou of the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, an archive exhibit mounted

by Paul Spaeth, performance of an original composition by Gwyneth Walker inspired by poetry of Lax, classroom discussions, and informal events.

 

St. Bonaventure University's School of Arts and Sciences, Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, and Friedsam Memorial Library have partnered together with the Olean Public Library, Olean High School, and members of the Olean community in planning this week of celebration and commemoration of the legacy, work, and enduring significance of Robert Lax.

 

A gift from Marcia Kelly, on behalf of the Marcus family, as well as several St. Bonaventure University offices, have provided funding for the week.

 

Who was Robert Lax?*

Robert Lax was born in Olean, New York on November 30, 1915. The family moved between Olean and Long Island. The environs of New York City were as much home to the young Robert Lax as was the small town of Olean in upstate New York. Lax attended Columbia University in the 1930’s, studying under the likes of Mark Van Doren. At Columbia Lax became fast friends with Thomas Merton, Ad Reinhardt and Ed Rice. Click for more 

  

* By Paul J. Spaeth

Director of the Friedsam Library & Curator of the Lax Archives  

 

Schedule of Events

Date  Time  Location  Event 
March 4 – 8 All day Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts (Branch Gallery on first floor) & the Friedsam Memorial Library Exhibitions on the life and works of Robert Lax,
by Paul J. Spaeth 
Monday, March 4 4:30 p.m.

Walsh Science Center Auditorium

An Introduction to Robert Lax
by Dr. Steve Georgiou

Tuesday, March 5 4:30 p.m.

Walsh Science Center Auditorium

Robert Lax, Poet & Contemplative
by Dr. Steve Georgiou

Wednesday, March 6 7:00 p.m.

Olean Public Library,
134 N. 2nd St., Olean

Robert Lax, Mentor & Peacemaker
by Dr. Steve Georgiou

Thursday, March 7 Various Various Presentations by Dr. Georgiou in
St. Bonaventure classes.
Friday, March 8 7:30 p.m.

Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts (Rigas Family Theater)

Circus of Creation
by composer Gwyneth Walker

 

A Few Photos

Click on a photo for a larger image.

 

Fr. Irenaeus Herscher and Robert Lax outside the Friedsam Library (late 1940's)

Fr. Irenaeus Herscher and Robert Lax outside
the Friedsam Library (late 1940's).

 

Lax at St. Bonaventure (October 1990)

During his visit to the campus in 1990, Lax
became the University’s first Reginald A. Lenna
Visiting Professor. Photo by Paul J. Spaeth.

      

Francis Griffin, Fr. Irenaeus Herscher, and Robert Lax in front of the Friedsam Library (1958)

Francis Griffin, Fr. Irenaeus Herscher and Robert Lax
in front of Friedsam Library (1958).

 

Lax by the side of Alumni Hall with Griff's horses (late 1940's)

Lax by the side of Alumni Hall with Griff's horses
(late 1940's).

 

Lax in Greece (April 1992)

Lax spent over 35 years on the Greek Islands of Kalymnos
and Patmos. Photo by Brother Patrick Hart.

 

     
The port city of Skala on the Island of Patmos, Greece   The port city of Skala on the Island of Patmos, Greece

People regularly sought Lax out during his years in Greece. Jeannine Thyreen visited Lax in May 2000. She took the two splendid photos, above, of the port city of Skala on the Island of Patmos, where Lax lived at the time.