Friday, February 15, 2013
Visual Art Mia of Mia Gallery Has Died
Posted by Jen Graves on Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 1:38 PM
- Photo courtesy of Bill Mitchell
- Mia McEldowney in her prime in 1990.
I did not know Mia McEldowney. But those in the art world who did speak of her with love and admiration. From 1983 to 1997, she ran an art gallery in Seattle, featuring artists including Joe Max Emminger, Julie Paschkis, Daniel Minter, Carl Smool, and Terry Turrell. She died on February 1 at age 62 at her home on Vashon Island (her obituary).
McEldowney not only supported artists. She also trained young curators. Meg Shiffler wrote on Facebook:
- Courtesy of the artists and Grover/Thurston Gallery
- A Cake and a Cat was made by Joe Max Emminger and Julie Paschkis and seen in a rare collaborative show at Grover/Thurston Gallery last year. Emminger and Paschkis were two artists McEldowney supported when her gallery was open; next month, a show of their works curated by McEldowney will go up on Vashon Island.
I've had two amazing mentors in my life. Marcia Tucker, who passed away in 2006, and Mia Mia McEldowney who passed away on Friday. Both women died way too early, and I feel like I have a big hole in my heart. I owe much of my professional success to Mia who taught me to truly love art, respect artists and work hard. Marcia taught me that you need a life outside if work. My mentors are gone. Maybe I'm a mentor now.
Before she died, McEldowney had been organizing an exhibition of work by Emminger, Paschkis, and Turrell set to open March 1 at Valise Gallery on Vashon Island. The show will go on as planned, opening Friday, March 1, from 6 to 9 pm. Also, Valise will be open from noon to 2 pm on Sunday, March 3, so people can stop there on their way to a Celebration of Mia's Life, which will be held at Camp Burton, beginning at 2 pm. I predict it will be colorful.
1
Mia McEldowney was an important and beloved figure for artists in our community and for us at Artist Trust. A founding member of the Seattle Art Dealers Association, Mia served Artist Trust as Board President, and was a major supporter in innumerable ways over the years. In recognition of her steadfast and generous support, Artist Trust honored her as one of our 2012 Creative Catalysts last November at our Awards Party. She was a vibrant and inspiring spirit and will be missed greatly.
2
I knew Mia professionally when I was the Arts editor for KING in the 80's and we became friends as neighbors. She was one of the rare birds of Seattle who infused the city with color and generous good will toward so many. I'm sorry you never knew her.
Lucy Mohl
Lucy Mohl
3
Thanks for this posting Jen. She touched a lot if lives and influenced the careers of local and national artists. MIA Gallery was the first gallery in the country to exhibit contemporary works of art alongside folk and outsider art. She was drawn to artworks with strong narratives, technical precision, emotional vitality, and bold color and line work. MIA Gallery had a uniquely recognizable aesthetic, which is a rarity in commercial galleries. She deeply respected her 50+ artists and her diverse clientele. In addition to the artists mentioned above, she represented Jay Steensma, Annie Grgich, Laurie Hall, Kiff Slemmons, Carl Chew, Melissa Stern, Selene Santucci, Larry Calkins, Daniel Minter, Tim Fowler...and showed works by renowned folk artists Reverend Howard Finster, Mose Tolliver, Jon Serl, Royal Robertson, Charles Kinney, Ree Brown, Stephen Powers and many others. She was instrumental in founding Artist Trust and was a founding member of the Seattle Art Dealers Association. In the past few years, confined to a wheelchair, Mia continued to work by curating a large scale exhibition of her own folk art collection, and the exhibition opening at March. She was a remarkable, irrepressible force! - Meg Shiffler
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Irrepressible! Great description! Thanks Meg and Jen, for all of your lovely words! Mia will be missed. When first asked to donate for Artist Trust, I grew handfuls of inches when I found out she had won my piece. Her dedication and unique vision propelled many studio jewelers in this area and I am sure her influence and spirit are part of the reason the Seattle area has been such a haven for craftsmen.
When I adopted my dog-pal Helmut (13 years ago today!) she used to pick me up and we would drive to a park and wander around talking dogs, art, and the world. Though this seems ages ago, I cherish that time...mentor indeed! In order to sound boldly cliche, we need to keep her spirit alive by acting as her example. Onward we go with sadness in the heart
When I adopted my dog-pal Helmut (13 years ago today!) she used to pick me up and we would drive to a park and wander around talking dogs, art, and the world. Though this seems ages ago, I cherish that time...mentor indeed! In order to sound boldly cliche, we need to keep her spirit alive by acting as her example. Onward we go with sadness in the heart
5
My thoughts and prayers go to her family and friends.
I was looking forward to meeting her in person and thank her for the great contribution she made in the art community of Seattle.. The fact that MIA Gallery is often mistaken for M.I.A Gallery is an honor.
Mariane Lenhardt, director of M.I.A Gallery
I was looking forward to meeting her in person and thank her for the great contribution she made in the art community of Seattle.. The fact that MIA Gallery is often mistaken for M.I.A Gallery is an honor.
Mariane Lenhardt, director of M.I.A Gallery
6
I just heard about Mia's death via mail in a notice about the art exhibit. I was a good friend of Mia's before she went to Seattle many years ago. We maintained minimal contact, so I only saw her once in her home environment. Wish I had had a chance to see her one more time. She was a good friend and a dear soul. May she rest in peace.
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