obituary - Blog - Art Fair Insiders

3 Men: Why I Sing the Blues

Posted by Connie Mettler on May 15, 2015 at 10:30am

A few weeks ago Percy Sledge died, an artist whose work was stolen by many and he never received the royalties. His most famous song was "When a Man Loved a Woman," what producer Jerry Wexler called "a holy love hymn." This song was the part of the soundtrack of many lives.

His obituary: http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/apr/15/percy-sledge

The song:

It was on the airways when I met Norm Darwish and it was our song, and you know what that means.

Norm Darwish my husband of nearly 40 years (I know you guys don't really think we were married), died on May 9. He was cantankerous, a curmudgeon, outrageous and a fine photographer. He was a meticulous craftsman in the darkroom. He loved me. We earned our living at art fairs from 1978-2006, when he lost his will to create because of chronic depression. If you can't create you just make products. Products were not his goal.

Thanks to all of you who have said such kind words about his body of work, ethereal and luminous -- cute kids, landscapes, still lifes, creative studio work and lots of nudes -- as he loved women. At a show director's conference a few years ago I was "outed", not as an artist's partner, not as a show director, but as the art.

He'd beaten back prostate cancer for 20 years but this winter it reappeared with no good end in sight. He was able to end his days at home with his daughters and grandsons at his side. Lucky man.

His obituary: http://wtvbam.com/blogs/obituaries-blog-wtvb/67/obituary-norm-darwish/

As I write this today I'm streaming Sirius radio's B. B. King's Bluesville, as we lost B.B. yesterday. Luckily I got to see him at the Wiltern in LA a few years ago. B. B. toured his entire life, he was in the bus. That evening he could hardly walk, but he sat on that stage and leaned out toward us and took us all in. He loved his audience and we loved him back.

We loved Percy, we loved B.B and Norm, a singer in his youth, is hopefully joining them today.

B.B.'s "Why I Sing the Blues":

To celebrate Norm's life we're hosting an open house at our home on Sunday, July 19, and you are invited to join us, whether you knew Norm or not. It will be a gathering of people who are brave, resilient and ready to take on life on its own terms -- you road warriors.

Leslie Jensen

Posted by Brian Jensen on September 12, 2012 at 1:30am

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/startribune/obituary.aspx?n=leslie-benda-jensen&pid=159757013#fbLoggedOut

Potter John Wrenn, dies of injuries from a fall

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 6, 2011 at 8:30pm

John Wrenn, 61, known throughout out the art fair world for his fine raku pottery died in Madison, Wisconsin, on February 28 as the result of injuries from a fall.

He participated in the nation's art fairs for 20 years and had recently retired. He was considered a master of his craft and he could be found at the top shows and in galleries throughout the country.

He was a founding member of the Wisconsin Pottery Association.

From Leslie Genszler: John was a wonderful Raku artist from the Janesville/ Cottage Grove area in Wisconsin, who recently retired. He was such a sweet and kind man and will be missed by so many of us.

More about his work: http://www.khnemustudio.com/John_Wrenn.html

Obituary at Madison.com: http://madison.com/obit/183300

A Memorial Mass will be held at 3 p.m. at ST. WILLIAM'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 456 N. Arch St., Janesville, WI, on Sunday, March 13, 2011.

Photographer Robert Barab, 68, passed away this weekend

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 1, 2011 at 3:17pm

Artist Robert C. Barab Jr., 68, died Feb. 27, 2011, at home.

He was the beloved husband of Trilla Ramage of Hampton, VA, father of Sasha Barab of Bloomington, IN, and son of the late Lucille and Robert C. Barab Sr. Robert was born in Wilmington, DE, Dec. 3, 1942.

An artist, he was an award-winning fine art photographer who traveled the world to find beauty and share it through his images: http://www.robertbarab.com/ (www.robertbarab.com). Prior to his career in photography he was also an award-winning jewelry designer and maker. A graduate of Goddard College with a BA in creative writing, at the time of his death, he was completing a novel.

He is survived by his wife and son, as well as two brothers,Peter Barab of Portland, OR, and Drew Barab of Denver, CO. He also is survived by his daughter-in-law Anna Arici Barab and grandsons, Julian Barab, Andrew Barab and Trey Barab, all of Bloomington.

Friends may call 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Porte Fellowship Hall, St. James United Methodist Church, 1533 W. Queen St., Hampton, VA 23669. Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Robert Barab Memorial Fund in c/o St. James United Methodist Church, 1533 W. Queen St., Hampton, VA 23669.

Robert was part of the art fair world for many years. His large scenic photographs were part of many of the nation's top art festivals. He was a gentle man with an inquiring mind and always a great neighbor at an art fair. Robert will be missed by many in our business.

Remembering Holly Mull

Posted by Connie Mettler on November 23, 2010 at 9:31pm

Atlanta, GA. In a 30-year career, she worked for mayors Sam Massell, Maynard Jackson, Andrew Young and Bill Campbell. She helped plan and organize major events as a public servant and later as president of Holly Mull & Associates, her events production agency.

Holly Allen Mull, 64: Holly Mull of Atlanta, the eldest daughter of a Michigan mayor, served as an assistant and director of festivals and special events for four Atlanta mayors. Mull died from complications of a massive stroke at Emory Hospital.
Read the news obituary.

http://www.atlantaintownpaper.com/2010/11/remembering-holly-mull/

Thanks to Holly our festivals will live on and on... http://saportareport.com/blog/2010/10/thanks-to-holly-mull-our-festivals-will-live-on/

Carol Sedestrom Ross - Influential in the Modern Craft Movement

Posted by Connie Mettler on June 23, 2010 at 2:00pm

I would like to extend my condolences to Carol Sedestrom Ross's family and friends. Carol died suddenly from a heart attack on June 14. Her passing marks an important milestone in the business of the nation's fine craft shows. She was probably the most consequential figure, bringing craftspeople into the mainstream and creating quality marketplaces so they could earn a living.

Carol was the founder of the American Craft Council, who started the first wholesale craft market in the U.S. in 1973 at the fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, NY. Carol's idea at that time was "If I could just figure out how to start some craft markets we could have beautiful things made in our own country. Probably 90% of the 500 people who showed in that first fair I organised at Rhinebeck in the early 1970's had some other job. When I left Rhinebeck ten years later probably 90% of the exhibitors were making their living from selling their craft."

Read more from her co-worker Mary Strope in this discussion: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/carol-sedestrom-ross-died

Here is an excellent article from 1998 where Carol was interviewed on the business of crafts: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/a-walk-through-history-the

You should read it!

Photo from http://handeyemagazine.com/content/carol-sedestrom-ross

Painter Roy Schallenberg, 05/04/1945 to 03/24/2010

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 25, 2010 at 3:00pm

Today, March 25, from Patty Narozny:

In case you have not heard, I wanted to send you the information, below from Andrea, Roy Schallenberg’s wife. Roy passed yesterday morning. He was a friend, artist consultant and mentor to me. Many people do not realize that Roy was instrumental with Hot Works and where we have grown the last few years. We will miss him deeply.

Email from his wife, Andrea:

My husband, Roy Schallenberg, passed away this morning at 8:30am with me by his side. He lived an extremely full and rich life, more than most people would ever believe. He was sad to leave our life but wanted to leave behind the suffering and infirmed state caused by the cancer and tumors. He often said he was "not afraid of dying, just of leaving you!"

He joked with me and others many times that he was enjoying his funeral while alive as his many friends and our family came to visit and share memories with him over the last few months. He was touched, overwhelmed and sometimes surprised by the stories of how he made a difference in someones life or by the generosity and love shown by friends. It was an emotional time and a wonderful time for Roy to receive so many messages, visits and displays of love.

... I don't know how people with out family love and support go through this, but I am eternally grateful I didn't have to find out.

I will be working with our son Mathew in selling Roy's remaining paintings shown on his website, www.schallenbergstudio.com , and we will continue doing Roy's shows as long it makes sense. It saddens me greatly to know that he will never create a new piece of work again and what is remaining is all that is left. We will be creating giclee's of his work so the reproductions can go on always. I will continue to look for a job and go where ever that may lead me. I am open to ideas or connections in the career field if anyone has any. The future is unknown...as it is for all of us.

Anyone wishing to send donations in Roy's name to Health First Hospice the address is: Hospice of Health First 1900 Dairy Rd. Melbourne, FL 32904. I will be having a small celebration of Roy's life for the family and friends who are here in Florida who are able to attend. The important time was being with Roy when he was alive, the celebration is closure for myself and my children.

Our love and thanks to everyone for all you did, all you do and for being apart of our lives.

Much Love Always,

Andrea Tharin
375 Wainai Drive
Merritt Island, FL 32953

Roy was well known in art fair circles, a frequent participant in art fairs throughout the country but particularly well know in both Florida and Michigan. He will be missed by many. He was a mento to many younger artists and touched a lot of hearts.

The Passing of Paul Matthaei

Posted by Connie Mettler on April 8, 2010 at 3:31pm

A member of ArtFairInsiders.com, Paul Matthaei, died suddenly on April 2. He was well known in the

art fair business and will be missed by many of us.

I received this email from Holly Olinger:

Paul Matthaei of Old Ellicott Forge in MD. died suddenly early this week. He had been ill for a good time and had a kidney transplant within the last year. His wife Jennifer and three dogs survive him. I do not think they had kids. Paul was a regular at the Patriot News Artsfest in Harrisburg,PA along with other shows in MD, VA, and PA.

I knew Paul and his wife Jennifer, having met them at Michigan, Maryland and Ohio art fairs. Paul was always fun to be around and passionate about his work. If he was your neighbor at an art fair you'd definitely know he was there, with an outgoing personality and ready to interact with anyone who came into his booth, with that special combination that keeps people coming back to the art fairs: fine, one of a kind work, and an interesting person to meet.

Paul's website: www.oldellicottforge.com

Here is a link to the obituary in the Baltimore Sun, where you can leave condolences: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/baltimoresun/obituary.aspx?n=paul-e-matthaei&pid=141510234

Michigan Painter Jan Dorer

Posted by Connie Mettler on April 7, 2010 at 5:33pm

It is sad to report today's passing of painter Jan Dorer after a long and prolific career.

Here is a message to all of her artist friends from her husband, Gil:

At 4:30 today, April 6, 2010 my loving wife, Jan, peacefully passed on. She finally is at peace from the dastardly Alzheimer Disease. Bob, Cyndy, and I were by her side. Shelly (our wonderful caregiver), Hailey (her 8 year old angel of a daughter), and Beth (our warm hearted nurse from Hospice) were so kind and gentle as they guided us through this journey. Her passing was amazingly ethereal. Jan chose the time to pass as our dear friends Arlene Riba and Dave Busfield stopped by to check on her. Almost no one has such a supported parting.

We have had such a wonderful journey. What a rich life with Jan doing what she loved most in life. She was so creative and honest in her art. We get at least two or three emails a week from people saying how much Jan's art has enriched their lives. What a reward to be so acknowledged.

I am so proud to have been able to care for her at home and keep her out of a nursing home. It was a struggle, but not difficult, for her twinkle remained throughout. Shelly got a kick out of Jan's humor. She would tell me when Jan said, "get rid of that guy in the other room."
We loved Jan and did our best and giggled with her.

A few years ago Jan and I decided to donate our bodies to the U. of Michigan Medical School. Hopefully her gift may help medical science in the future.

There will be a visitation at the Staffen Mitchell Funeral Home, 901 N,. Main St Chelsea, Mi. 48118 734 475 1444 on Sunday, April 11, 1:00 to 3:00. Jan did not like being singled out even for an award. The visitation will be a celebration of her life in keeping with her wishes.

Sincerely, Gil, Cyndy and Bob.

We are thankful that Dad let go of the reigns a little and "has allowed" us to share a few thoughts.
Dad does not want flowers or donations. If you need to do something, please, please, help keep our dad out of trouble (take him out for a beer, road trip to gizzard city, phone calls late at night, golf (only if you think 7 is par) ). Our Mom was such a special person. We are so proud of the impact that she has had on the art world.

Cyndy and Bob

Thanks to Sandy Atkins-Moran for including me in the email message.

Photographer Michael Craven Dies from Cancer

Posted by Connie Mettler on September 11, 2009 at 11:04am

Michael Craven, a 30 years+ photography veteran, died in June after a long illness.

Michael was a great guy and his fine work was an asset to the art fair business. He really knew his way around a camera and a darkroom. He was a photojournalist and commercial photographer before he started exhibiting at art fairs. The integrity of his images made his work stand above many of his contemporaries. The work was original in concept and always great to see. No cookie cutter images here, just great conceptual pieces photographed and printed in the traditional manner. "Leaks" by Michael Craven Here is his website: http://brainfoodphoto.com/ and here is another site I found that has more of his imagery: http://www.absolutearts.com/portfolios/a/artychoke/ Many thanks to photographer Robert Barab for passing on this information.

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