Traces the history of the concern with self-taught artists and discusses various reasons for the growing interest in self-taught artists and their work. Focuses on the relationship between art education and the work of self-taught artists. Highlights concepts that students can learn by studying self-taught artists. (CMK)

During a visit to Williamsburg Elementary School (Williamsburg, Iowa), this author was introduced to J. C. Holz, a 10-year-old boy who had already exhibited the characteristics of a prolific artist. During one of the interviews with J. C., the author encouraged him to have a solo exhibition of his work at the University of Iowa. The exhibition was…