The College of Magical Knowledge" is the most recognized and adored setting in Christensen’s “land a little left of reality” and was featured in his best-selling book The Voyage of the Basset. “The inscription over the entrance reads Scientia est Potentia,” relates Christensen, “so the institution was founded on the principle that ‘Knowledge is Power’ But it is vital to realize that here, at this place, the traditional human paths to knowledge, to become political beings or financiers, are incomplete. Science itself only offers us one way of looking at our problems. One needs to add the suspension of disbelief in order to gain access to the magic found in life. You don’t learn ordinary things here.

“'The College of Magical Knowledge' is just the opposite of the kind of institution where the Fellowes wear black and are very serious. It is a place where the professors wear as many colors as possible, plus two! I’d guess that nearly every character I’ve painted went to school here. Certainly a few haven’t, but you can see here 'Bird Hunters,' 'The Fishwalker,' a 'Butterfly Fisherman' and the 'Pear Balancer.' For as stately as the building may appear, the College is far bigger on the inside than out. The Fellowes have an incredible library of stuff at which we can only guess. But two of the most prized possessions are the 'Book of Answers' and the 'Book of Questions.' I’ve heard that most find learning how to ask the right questions will get them farther than simply having all the answers, which isn’t necessarily the path many institutions take.”