Photo courtesy of/Collegian
Lydia (l), Katherine, Melissa and Sam Knecht sit in the music room.
Old and stylish, not to mention close to work, the Knechts’ 1867 gothic revival house is perfect for the two artists who both enjoy old houses.
After wrangling with other potential buyers, they bought the house in 1998. Ten years earlier Sam Knecht, chairman and professor of Art, eyed it for a painting because of its special architecture.
Now he and his wife, Melissa Gerber Knecht, associate professor of music, live there with their fraternal twin girls, Lydia and Katherine.
“I like houses that are unique, that have stylistic integrity, and I think that our house [has] evolved over the years and what we happen to be doing with it is very individualistic,” Sam said.
Inside, the artistic expression continues. Every room displays one of Sam’s paintings. Around the fireplace that lights the family room, Sam constructed a wooden mantle painted to resemble marble. The music room holds a Baldwin piano, a timpani drum turned into a lamp stand, and a portrait of Melissa with her violin.
This portrait was painted while the couple was dating, but Sam added an engagement ring to the panting after their marriage. The painting is special because not many musicians find themselves in paintings, Melissa said.
“People laugh when I say I’m married to a visual artist because they [musicians and visual artists] never talk to each other, usually,” she said.
Since both Knechts are artists, they have a mutual understanding of how important practice is to their trades.
“We have high goals for ourselves as people of the arts,” Sam said. “It involves a lot of juggling.”
They have to juggle their schedules because, the Knechts both say, their priority is their children. Everyday they try to guarantee at least an hour of family time together talking, relaxing or watching television.
“We don’t want to sacrifice being away from the twins more than we have to,” Melissa said.
Already the artistic talents of their parents are beginning to influence the 4-year-old twins. In the kitchen hang many pictures drawn by the two budding artists.
“One’s more of a realist and one isn’t,” Melissa said.
“One’s a colorist,” Sam said.
With family as a top priority, Sam has begun to build a new art studio in the back of the house. In it a two-ton fireplace was built out of stones from local hedgerows with “back-breaking work,” Sam said, with a laugh.
Sam also added a large north-facing window.
“Realist painters crave north light because it’s the most consistent to work by,” he said.
Sam said he expects the studio to be a place for open house events and art exhibits.
With professions in the arts and a vibrant family life, the Knechts say although their lives are busy, it’s always enjoyable.
“I love my life,” Melissa said. “Everything I end up doing I love doing. We’re not bored around here.”