I dropped by the Mendocino Art Center yesterday and found that a
lovely set of tiles, commemorating Susan, had been installed in the
courtyard outside the jewelry studio. I also discovered that there
will be a memorial service at the Center from 3-5 PM on Friday, March
16th. Unfortunately, the press release isn’t out yet, and there is
nothing posted on the MAC web site.
Lisa Orlando
Albion, CA, US
The Mendocino Art Center will host a memorial celebrating the life
of longtime Mendocino Art Center Jewelry Coordinator Susan Elizabeth
Wood, Friday, March 16, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Susan died
December 29, 2006, in Oakland, CA, following a long illness.
In honor of Susan, the public is invited to participate in the
creation of a progressive metal sculpture during the memorial. At
its completion, the artwork will be permanently installed in the
Mendocino Art Center’s Zacha Sculpture Garden Commemorative Walkway,
outside the recently rededicated Susan E. Wood Jewelry Studio.
A gifted and widely respected metalsmith for nearly 30 years, Susan
credited the Mendocino Art Center with sparking her lifelong passion
for metals when she took her first jewelry class at the Art Center
at the age of 15. She went on to earn her MFA in metal arts at
Humboldt State University. She taught several semesters at Humboldt
and both coordinated and taught in Mendocino Art Center’s jewelry
department for many years. Susan was also adjunct professor of
metalsmithing at Oakland’s California College for the Arts for four
years until illness forced her resignation last September. Her
award-winning work has been included in numerous books and
publications, as well as private and public collections.
Susan is survived by her daughter Arianna Canada Onstad, her Siamese
cat Bodhisattva and her many loving friends, colleagues and
students.
For more please call the Mendocino Art Center at
707-937-5818.