Mary Ellen Corder Molyneaux, February 26, 1945 – December 31, 22024, was a well-recognized and honored Northwest studio artist, working professionally for nearly 50 years. Mary has been an active part of the creative community since moving to Seattle, Washington in 1988.

Beloved Tacoma potter Reid Ozaki, who passed away in July, brought Japanese, Hawaiian and Northwest influences to the wheel. (Still from ‘Art by Northwest’)

NWDC recently learned that former member Nancy N. Erickson passed away peacefully on February 7, 2022 in the Pattee Canyon home that she loved for 51 years. With her were her two daughters, Chris and Terrell, her husband Ron, and in spirit her granddaughter Avery, who is in Africa.

In Missoula she soon became involved in numerous political causes – such as GASP and the Missoula Women for Peace. And she met and formed strong friendships with a group of women who loved to draw – they formed a drawing group (the Pattee Canyon Ladies Salon) that hired models and had drawing sessions for more than 33 years in her studio. Her artwork brought her in contact and friendship with a wide group of art quilters (Studio Art Quilt Associates) and to numerous meetings in the East.

Surrounded by his wife Laura and close family, Kenneth Dean Turner, aged 67, passed away November 7, 2023, after a ten-year battle with cancer. You can read more about Ken’s life, read stories, and post messages on his online memorial page.

Ken will be remembered as a jewel in the crown of Pacific Northwest artists, developing deep and loyal connections to this rich and diverse community. His passing is a loss that will reverberate throughout the artistic landscape he leaves behind.

We regret to announce that beloved NWDC Member, master metalsmith and founder of Shining Wave Metals, Phillip Baldwin passed away in August. Our deepest condolences go to Phillip’s wife Layne Goldsmith

Read beautiful remembrances by Reis Niemi and Victoria Lansford.

Ronald Childers touched the lives of many people. He had many gifts and he chose to share them with others. He was an accomplished artist, teacher and mentor. He taught art and theater to thousands of students in his long career. He was thoughtful, kind and honest.

He received a Bachelor of Science in 1951 from Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, Texas followed by a Master of Fine Arts and teaching from the University of Washington. In 1954 Ron moved from Texas to Washington for a teaching position in Langley. Several years later he took a position teaching art in the Bellevue School District and remained there for nearly 30 years until his retirement.

It is with great sadness that NWDC acknowledges the passing of Lloyd Herman. His death was due to complications from falling in early January of 2023. This, only 10 months following the death of Dick Wilson, his husband and life partner of 48 years.

A personal story: In 1982, after having my work juried into the Renwick’s Ten-Year Anniversary exhibit, I traveled to the opening. I was an artist still ‘wet behind the ears’ and Lloyd took me under his wing. He introduced me to everyone, and asked, ‘How is Patti Warashina doing? How about Bob? I was so impressed that he knew the names of geographically distant Northwest artists.

Anne Niles Davenport, of Freeland, passed away July 27 in her home. She was 78. Anne was the first child of Franklin Niles Davenport and Ellen Atkinson Davenport and was born September 9, 1943, in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

On June 27th, 2022, Judith (Judy) Crystal Laub passed away at the age of 62 from ovarian cancer.

Judy was a renowned, award-winning metalwork artist, who taught herself how to do chasing and repousee, with several of her pieces displayed in juried shows. Her work included architectural accents, decorative bowls, and artistic pieces which were included in gallery showings and often commissioned. Judy loved being in nature. She had the remarkable ability to observe and pay tribute to things that most people would just walk past. She would marvel at the complex patterns on the wings of a beetle and figure out ways to replicate it in etched metal.

Artist Dina Barzel, 87, known for her finely wrought and monumental fiber sculptures, died on May 20, 2019 at UW Medical Center. A memorial celebration is planned for Spring 2020.

Russell Day, artist, teacher, mentor and beloved friend, lived his life as a work of art.  He died peacefully in Lacey, Washington on January 14, 2019 at the age of 106. 

Ron Ho, internationally respected art jeweler, died at his Seattle home on September 7, 2017, due to prostate cancer that had spread in his body. He is mourned by family, friends and the arts community.

We were deeply saddened to learn that long-time NWDC member Cal Killgore unexpectedly died April 24, 2017. Cal will be deeply missed for his loving warmth, bright smile, cheerful eyes, and for his creativity.