Thursday, November 30, 2006

In Memoriam: Elisabeth Gordon Chandler

Elisabeth was the founder of the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts and up to her sudden death at the age of 93, she was still teaching a class every week and giving lectures. She was a very warm and intelligent woman who had an incredibly rich life. This upcoming weekend is the 30th year celebration of the founding of the Academy.

From the Lyme Academy College website:

November 30, 2006

It is with profound sadness that we announce that Elisabeth Gordon Chandler, founder of the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, passed away on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 at 5:30 pm at Middlesex Memorial Hospital. Elisabeth was 93 years old at the time of her death, which was due to natural causes.

“Elisabeth Gordon Chandler was a personal friend and an icon of American fine arts. She was a woman of inspirational determination, a gifted artist, educator and mentor. We loved her as a friend, and admired her as a sculptor, teacher and trustee. Our entire college community mourns her loss,” said Alan Proctor, Chairman of the Board.

Frederick Osborne, President of the College said “Elisabeth founded the Academy when representational art and the traditional education of artists was disappearing in the Western world. Her vision through the academy has played a major role in reviving these legacies.

“She was a Renaissance woman, who firmly but gently led by the example of her own principled life and gave of herself with boundless generosity. She was a national treasure whose inspiration will always be embodied in the spirit of this Academy College.”
-Alan Proctor, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, & Frederick Osborne, President,
Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts