Michael Carter appointed inaugural Carol and Pierce Smith ’62 Chair for the Fine Arts

Endowed chairs that have been established by alumni and parents to support and honor faculty members represent a significant part of Landon’s current endowment. These academic chairs provide Landon with the ability to recruit and retain the best teacher-coach-mentors. The funds for endowed chairs support faculty salaries as well as professional development opportunities. Appointments to an endowed chair are made by Head of School Jim Neill and Assistant Head of School Charles Franklin in accordance with the parameters established by the donors and the School.

The 2022-23 academic year is the first year The Carol and Pierce Smith ’62 Chair for the Fine Arts is awarded. The chair was established by Pierce Smith ‘62 as one of the early gifts to The Campaign for Landon. Upper School Art Teacher Michael Carter was appointed to this chair earlier this school year.

Carter is in his 42nd year of teaching at Landon. He replaced Gladys Georgia, Landon’s first art teacher, when she retired. He comments, “There is a tremendous amount of talent in the School and it’s exciting to watch. The arts programs at Landon have grown tremendously since I started here, and it has been a great privilege to be a part of that.” In addition to teaching drawing, architecture, and ceramics, Carter is an Upper School advisor and helps coach intramurals and baseball.

He looks forward to spending time in Europe this summer, including stops in Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam. He plans to visit many museums and attend a sculpture show in Amsterdam to see the works of many up-and-coming artists. By visiting and viewing the masters as well as newer artists, Carter plans to bring back that knowledge and incorporate it into his classes.

He is looking forward to the move to the Wilson Building, the future home of the Studio Arts department. He sees it as a great space for Landon students to continue to pursue their art. He comments, “Jim Neill has done an amazing job leading Landon. He has recognized the importance of the art program and the move to the Wilson building allows for the continued evolution of the arts with the addition of a woodworking studio.”

In establishing this endowed chair, Smith said, "Carol and I were art collectors all of our lives and spent much of our free time and vacations prowling around museums and galleries all over the world. I have always felt that a deep exposure to the fine arts is a critical component of one's education and life. I hope that this gift will help to give every Landon student the chance to find as much pleasure through the fine arts as I have."

Our deepest thanks go to Pierce Smith ’62 and to all our teacher-coach-mentors. If you would like to explore making a gift that is meaningful to you and the School, please contact Director of Development Peter J. Gallo, Ph.D., at peter_gallo@landon.net or 301-320-1004.