The Kent family, with deep roots in the Cortez area, made a significant contribution to local history preservation by donating two original paintings by renowned American artist Richard Ellis Wagner to the Montezuma Heritage Museum. The presentation ceremony took place at the museum's location on South Chestnut Street, marking an important addition to the institution's permanent collection.
The donated artwork consists of two historically significant pieces that capture the educational heritage of the region. The first is an oil painting depicting the historic Lebanon schoolhouse, where the family's late father, Delmer Kent, once attended classes alongside many other Cortez-area residents. The second piece is an acrylic painting portraying the Battlerock schoolhouse, which currently serves as the home of Battle Rock Charter School, continuing its educational legacy.
The Kent family donated these valuable pieces in honor of their parents, Delmer and Gloria Kent, who were integral members of the local community for decades. The family has maintained strong ties to the area despite many members relocating out of state. Their business legacy includes owning and operating a drugstore located where Notah Dineh currently stands, running the establishment from the 1960s through the 1980s. Prior to that venture, their grandparents operated Taylor's Market in the same location from the 1940s to 1960s.
"When we were preparing for an estate sale and were coming to understand the significance of the paintings, we realized that potential buyers in Arizona would not understand their significance," Tim Kent explained. "Research revealed the Montezuma Heritage Museum and it seemed like an immediate fit. Director Liz Quinn MacMillan was enthusiastic about the donation immediately and described how they would fit right in with their existing collection. We are thrilled that the paintings will be enjoyed by locals and area visitors."
The Kent family's connection to local education runs deep through multiple generations. Delmer Kent, Gloria Kent, and their children Tim, Mitch, and Sheila all graduated from Montezuma-Cortez High School. Gloria Kent's father served on the school board during his time running Taylor's Market and had previously worked as a teacher at several of the original rural schools early in his career, further cementing the family's educational heritage.
"We were delighted to be able to donate the two Richard Wagner paintings," Mitch Kent stated during the presentation ceremony. The museum's executive director, Liz Quinn MacMillan, expressed the institution's gratitude for the generous donation and outlined how the paintings would enhance their upcoming exhibitions.
"We're extremely excited to add the two schoolhouse paintings by local artist Richard Wagner to our permanent collections," MacMillan said. "Art can be a wonderful window into preserving and sharing our history, and our country schoolhouses are an important part of that history. It's also really meaningful that the Kent family has a connection to our early schools, and we really appreciate them thinking of the museum for this gift."
The paintings will be featured prominently in the museum's upcoming exhibit focusing on the history of schools in Montezuma County. This exhibition will provide visitors with comprehensive insights into the educational development of the region and the role these rural schoolhouses played in shaping the community.
Richard Ellis Wagner, the artist who created these historic pieces, was an American painter born in Ohio who became renowned for his landscape paintings of the American West, particularly Colorado. Many of his works focused on Southwest Colorado, including notable paintings of Telluride and the Cortez area. While numerous Wagner paintings remain in private collections, his work has gained recognition at prestigious institutions including the Denver Art Museum and the Library of Congress. Some of his art was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, establishing his reputation as a significant regional artist.
Wagner's artistic legacy extends beyond painting, as he collaborated with his wife to publish two books that combined his visual artistry with her poetry, creating unique works that celebrated both mediums. His paintings serve as valuable historical documents that capture the essence of Colorado's rural heritage and educational landmarks during a pivotal period in the state's development.
The donation represents more than just an addition to the museum's collection; it symbolizes the community's commitment to preserving its educational and cultural heritage for future generations. These paintings will continue to tell the story of rural education in Southwest Colorado and honor the memory of the countless students and educators who shaped the region's academic foundation.
