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Portrait of Kelly Oliver in 1967 when he opened an office with John Hellgren in Denver
Part II: The Road to Architecture
Kelly Oliver’s journey to architecture would begin with a fortuitous switch from electrical engineering to architectural engineering, inspired by his second-year roommate at the University of Wyoming, Pete Hanson. “I had always been interested in radio and electrical engineering,” Oliver recalled, “But in studying at night, I just noticed that Pete was doing some awfully interesting things.” Determined to commit to architectural studies, Oliver left Wyoming for Washington State College (WSU). The summer back home following his third year at WSU brought an unexpected visit from a family friend, Cousin Carolyn, whose connections with Frank Lloyd Wright would pivot his life once more. After a letter to Taliesin facilitated by Carolyn to Mrs. Wright, Oliver received an invitation for a life-changing interview.
“So, we set up an interview,” Oliver recounted, “and my folks decided to drive me out. Along with the letter that I got back for coming for an interview was a description of the tools that I should bring with me if I were accepted: a hammer and a saw and some things like that.”
With tools packed, Oliver and his family hit the road, eager to meet the Wrights. Yet, he said, “When I got there, Mr. and Mrs. Wright had gone to Europe to pick up their daughter who was studying dance with Gurdjieff and weren’t due back for another week or so.”
Wright’s secretary, Eugene Masselink took Oliver under his wing, assigning him a room under the house. He asked, “Do you sing?” to which Oliver modestly replied, “Well, I have.” The conversation led from Taliesin to Hillside where chorus practice was in session, culminating in an invitation to join the group, where Masselink—a capable singer himself—welcomed Oliver into the fold.
Following practice, Oliver was put to work in the existing theater. The hot, dusty task involved cutting through a stone wall to improve access from the driveway. “Mr. Wright wanted a way to get from the driveway into the theater if they were bringing food into the theater because we would sometimes actually be served evening meals…especially on the weekends in the theater,” Oliver specified.
Breakfast with Mr. Wright at Amon Carter Field in 1949
The Wrights returned several weeks later. When Oliver received word, he was told, “they were going to have tea outside of the drafting room on the lawn.”
Soon, Oliver was invited to an impromptu interview. Dressed in his dusty work clothes, he sat down with Frank Lloyd Wright, discussing his background and interest in architecture and ultimately securing his place at Taliesin. Oliver recalled, “Mr. Wright asked me a lot of questions: ‘What was my experience?’ and ‘Why am I interested in architecture?’ And after 30 minutes, Wright said, ‘Well, you’ve been here this long, you might as well stay.’ So that was my interview, and I just stayed. My folks went home without me.”
That fateful day in 1949 marked the start of Oliver’s decade-long stay in the Fellowship at Taliesin, a transformative period blending architectural training with a wealth of life experiences. “Right away, I was treated as though I were an apprentice,” Oliver reflected.
