Artist Lecture: Remembering TB-9

Before the crowd arrived

TB-9 was a ceramic and sculpture studio on the campus of UC Davis in the 1960’s. This event brought together three students of Robert Arneson, the man responsible for making the Temporary Building 9 what is was. Steven Kaltenbach, Peter VandenBerge, and Gerald Walburg, the three past students, all credited Arneson as being the mastermind behind TB-9. They praised Arneson for his approach at teaching and shared stories with us of the crazy nights they spent creating art together. The building number 9 was on campus for almost 40 years before Arneson decided to take it over to teach ceramic and metal sculpture to the art students of UC Davis. Arneson was described as an innovative man going against traditional ceramic art that was being made at that time. In the 1960’s the ceramics being produced were equated with beautiful forms, Arneson rejected functional ceramic art and started what is known today as the Ceramic Funk Movement. He gave these students the confidence they needed to explore their medium and think about art in a different way.

The crowd waiting for the talk to start

Three of the remaining members of the group of artists that experienced TB-9. (left to right) Peter Vandenburge,
Steven Kaltenbach, and Gerald Walburg.

One way Arneson and his teaching methods promoted creativity by allowing the students to always have a place to create because TB-9 was known for never being locked. The stories they shared made it obvious there was a strong connection among the students as well as with their teacher, a creative bond that resulted in amazing innovative artwork and artists. The art department was allowing students the freedom to create new things that were not seen before. The environment was described as being comfortable, a place where students felt free to explore, work and most importantly talk to each other about their work, this was different than other traditional classes, where it was about just creating. The openness of TB-9 allowed student to use each other as inspiration and help if needed. They were able to feed off each other, stealing ideas and going off each other’s work.

Shankara, steel, by Gerald Walburg

The three talked about how their teachers were all very young at the time so they felt like they could relate to them and this created even more of a bond. Arneson was described as being a wonderful man who often invited students over to have a beer and talk about ideas, even getting the students together to visit museums and look at artwork together for inspiration. Stories were also shared about a great visiting artist program at Davis that helped keep inspiration fresh as well.

House Poet, Ceramic, 2000. Work by Peter Vandenberge
located in CSUS Library

 Steven Kaltenbach graduated from UC Davis and eventually came to work right here at California State University Sacramento, retireing in 2005. He continues to create and exhibit his work nationwide. Gerald Walburg is known now for his large scale metal sculptures seen on several college campuses including San Jose State University and of course our own California State University Sacramento, right in front of the Library. He also eventually came to teach art here at Sac State. Peter VandenBerge is well-known for his ceramic art, which can also be seen on campus in our Library by the main entrance (pictured). Like his fellow ex-classmates Vandenberge too found his way back to the surrounding area and taught art here at Sac State. All three, retired now, can still be seen wandering around the art studios here on campus, so if you are by the art department keep your eyes open, you might be standing next to a piece of local history.

Portrait of My Father, 1972-79, acrylic on canvas, by
Steven Kaltenbach