By Maegan Jolley, Weakley County Schools Communications Director
Dresden, Tenn.–Lane Last devoted his life to nurturing creativity in his students as a professor in the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Department of Visual and Performing Arts. Now, his love for the arts will continue to inspire young minds through the gift of supplies to classrooms across Weakley County.
In a heartfelt letter expressing her intent to fulfill her husband’s wishes, Mrs. Robin Last noted her husband’s belief in the lifelong impact the arts have on students.
“Many of his former UTM students went on to become professional graphic designers, K-12 educators, gallery workers, fine artists, illustrators, and college professors. He heard from numerous art teachers in Tennessee throughout his career that they often lacked adequate art supplies for classroom projects. The arts may be different from other subjects, but Art is not just “play;” it can be a gateway to creativity and problem solving. It stimulates the capacity of the human brain. Having art supplies for students to work through projects, design and solve problems, create something from their internal imagination, and bring to the world unique images that inspire, and even open new vistas of what is possible – That was my husband’s dream and his life’s work,” expressed Mrs. Last.
Teachers were deeply moved by the donation, calling it a lasting tribute to a person who impacted the local art world so deeply.
“Lane Last was a wonderful professor who always showed me kindness and encouragement in the classroom. I only hope to continue his services in the art world by showing the same kindness and encouragement to my own students,” expressed Amber Wharton, art teacher at Martin and Dresden Elementary and a previous student of Last.
“Professor Last’s donation supports our mission to grow the whole child, and that includes fostering creativity and self-expression alongside academics. Art helps students build confidence, think in new ways, and develop a lifelong love of creating. Thanks to this donation, more students will have the opportunity to explore their creativity in a meaningful way,” added Betsi Foster, Assistant Director of Schools.
Supplies have already begun arriving in art classrooms, bringing color, inspiration, and a piece of Professor Last’s enduring spirit to classrooms across the county.
For more on Weakley County Schools, visit weakleyschools.com.