Vincent Boudreau
Dear Colleagues,
I’m so sorry to be sharing the news that Professor Colin Chase, a beloved member of the Art Department faculty, passed away recently. Professor Chase, in his quiet, persistent and kind way, left a deep impression on the lives of those he encountered. In the art world, he was known as a highly accomplished sculptor, whose works utilized a variety of media and were designed to encourage contemplation in those who beheld them. Indeed, this inclination—the encouragement of and support for contemplation and reflection—marked so many aspects of his life.
He was a Joan Mitchell Foundation Painters & Sculptors Grant recipient, represented by June Kelly Gallery in New York. His work has been included in one person and group exhibitions in several galleries including Jamaica Arts Center, Socrates Sculpture Park, The Studio Museum in Harlem, and the Neuberger Museum of Art. He was also formerly a resident of the Institute for Contemporary Art, P.S. 1 Museum and Longwood Studios, and received public commissions from the Queens Hospital and the Malcolm X Memorial.
His students and colleagues, in particular, will remember him as an astute and interested observer of people, gently and encouraging to those who came to him for help and advice. As news of his passing spread, many of his current and former students wrote to express their sadness, and to share their impressions of the man and his presence in their lives. I present a mere sampling of these expressions below, without individual attribution, as a sampling of the broad collective outpouring of affection and gratitude for his presence among us.
One student writes: His kindness radiated everywhere he went. It’s those who have a gentle heart who impact the most. Acts of kindness make this world a better place, for sure. He made the world a better place. So many things we will take from him and can hopefully pass along. He truly is an angel. I hope to one day be even a tad bit as impactful as an educator as he was, truly a role model.
From another: Colin was a tremendously brilliant, inspiring and beautiful soul. It was a pleasure to have known him, albeit far too briefly. I think in my lifetime I have met only a handful of folks that immediately had a powerful influence over me and changed the way I view the world; Colin was certainly one of these select few. I, selfishly, would have liked more time, as I am sure everyone that knew him feels the same.
A Third reflected that: Professor Colin Chase radiated joy and excitement in everything he did. He was optimistic and empathetic, and he sincerely cared about each one of his students. He was a great giver of wisdom and was full of kindness. He constantly went above and beyond to help and teach his students.
Finally: He was an incredibly generous, kind and positive person and his work embodied all the things humanity should be about. I am going to miss him incredibly; he believed in me a lot, and he was one of the main reasons I remained at City College and finished my degree there.
The stories go on and on, but contain the same, essential message: this was a man treasured by those around him, someone who made an impact on the people he encountered by helping them find and refine their true voices. In the end, what can any of us, working in a place like CCNY, aspire to accomplish while we’re here?
There are no services currently planned to mark Professor Chase’s passing, but in time, his colleagues and students plan to commemorate his life among us, his legacy in the world of art, and the imprint of his wise tutelage on generations of students.
Sincerely,
Vince Boudreau
President