Plaster/Clay Busts

San Francisco State College, were Farhad took classes. In second picture man in foreground wearing glasses is Seymour, Farhad's first sculpture instructor, though he did not instruct in metals. Farhad is in rear of class in white short sleeve sweater.

Farhad Moezzi, on teaching art, from IJ article

Exert from Marin Independent Journal article of 1964 (no byline found yet):


"For the past 10 years Moezzi's skill as a teacher as well as an artist is well known to the hundreds of students he has taught at San Rafael High School.

"I am very interested in helping young people become creative," the educator says in perfect English. "Creativity increases value as we move towards the conformity of mass production. I believe anyone can create and to create you can do anything. We are all Gods, really. How do I know just what or how much I can create unless I try? God made each one of us, whether you believe in Jesus Christ, or our prophet Mohammed; your Bible or our Koran. What is the difference? God created us all and we, too, can create."

"You can do anything," this eastern-western philosopher insists.

Moezzi says he realized it is entirely possible that a student can go through high school taking only one course in art or none at all. If they enter his classes, he tries to give them the greatest possible creative experience.

"I expect them to create; not copy. I try to supply them with basic techniques which will be helpful all their lives no matter what occupations they follow," he says.

Students under this teacher can learn at least 10 casting techniques, including bronze casting, the formation of clay bodies, glazing and fine art jewelry-making. He is proud of the facilities at the school believing they equal or surpass many colleges in equipment."

Moezzi Correlates Comtemporary Art /Archeology Article

Exerts from above article in San Rafael City Schools Bulletin, 1963:

"Moezzi's interest was archaeology when he was graduated from University of Tehran in his native Iran in 1942. He admits that his first excavation was commercial, rather than scientific, venture but the results took him to India and the University of New Delhi to study the ancient writings of Sanskrit and Avestan and later to the University of London."

"The fields of art and archaeology are closely related, " according to Moezzi. "Both are work within an unlimited facility and environment, seeking what is not known to man."

This seeking is part of Moezzi's approach to teaching. "My prime interest right now," he explained "is simplifying techniques, like casting metal, so that they can be utilized in the classroom by all students."

Farhad Moezzi, Lecture

College Of Marin Classroom review

Farhad taught an Advanced Sculpture night school class at College of Marin from 1965-1966, while he was teaching at San Rafael High School. In April of 1966, he was hired as an Art Instructor full-time for College of Marin, becoming Chairman of the Art Department in 1968.

The above letter reviewing Farhad's class as of November 1966 -- nice praise and humorous last line. (click on picture to enlarge)

Setting up for Gallery Show

Farhad and colleague Thano Johnson taking perspective during set up for gallery show at College of Marin.