12/12/1950 - 1/3/2009
Welcome to this tribute site. Our intention is to provide a contact point for the many people who knew the incomparable Gerry Riggs and wish to share their memories and thoughts about this remarkable person. We intend keep the site inclusive of the diverse people and interests that Gerry connected with over his too short life.
EVENT: There will be a Community Tribute to Gerry on January 23, 2009 at the Gallery of Contemporary Art on the Campus of the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs beginning at 5 p.m. This will be hosted by the University which is actively drawing in Gerry's friends from the Arts, Ski and Music Communities he was connected to. Here's the invitation:
What: "A Community Tribute to Gerry Riggs"
When: Friday, January 23, 2009 beginning at 5 p.m.
Where: The Gallery of Contemporary Art on the UCCS campus
1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway / Science Building Rm. 200
For directions please visit: http://www.uccs.edu/~map
or visit: http://www.galleryuccs.org/information
or call the Gallery at 1.719.255.3567
*This event is free and open to the public. Free parking beginning at 4 p.m. the day of this event.
Program:
There will be speaking by university and community members followed by an open mic and live music with musicians from Pagosa Springs as well as Colorado Springs. We will have Gerry's drum set and skiing equipment on hand as well as many of his famous photographs of all the people who ever attended his openings, or ski trips, or his music gigs. Gerry's fine art photography will be on display.
Food and drink will be provided but donations will be accepted at the door. Contact the committee at friendsofgerryriggs@gmail.com for requirements.
Community Participation:
This is a community-wide event intended to be a broad and fair representation of Gerry's character and interests, and the effect he had on the communities he operated in and advocated for.
The community is invited to bring mementos such as objects and photographs to share at the the event. Persons wishing to bring items are asked to contact the Tribute Committee at friendsofgerryriggs@gmail.com for coordination details. We are unable to hang artwork or accept large, heavy, fragile or dangerous items. Your property is displayed at your risk. Persons may also email their photos to this address for inclusion in an image stream to be projected on the gallery wall during the event.
People wishing to make donations to the Gerry Riggs Memorial Scholarship Fund to support students in the Museum Studies and Gallery Practice minor program at UCCS are asked to contact Margie Teals-Davis with the UCCS College of Letters Arts and Sciences at (719) 255 4552.
You may also join the GoCA membership and support the gallery Gerry made famous.
Thank you for your part. We look forward to seeing you on the 23rd!
- The Tribute Committee
friendsofgerryriggs@gmail.com
Here are links to Gerry's News Obit followed by two great articles that appeared in the Colorado Springs Independent newspaper in 2002 and in 2006:
Art activist urged others ‘to let their artistic side shine’
