It is with utter shock and disbelief to hear the passing of our dear friend, and former CFO Treasurer, Beth Avary. This terrible news arrived this morning when I received Pam Lee’s e-mail to learn the passing of her best friend and our colleague! While we conduct our workshop in southwest Utah, I do pledge that we will give honor to our esteemed artist colleague with a group prayer. This will include two minutes of silence as we look upon the landscape that she so loved and painted with us through out the US, Iceland and the former USSR. We shall reminisce, and give thanks to Beth for our long year’s of camaraderie in space art. In addition, we’ll include our deepest gratitude and thanks to her 20 years of volunteer service in various offices with the IAAA, first as our Director of Exhibitions at which she organized the Art of the Cosmos World Touring exhibition that ultimately arrived and spent one year at the Smithsonian’s NASM; member of the Board and then 15 years as our CFO Treasurer. Dear Beth, you will be sorrily missed.
– Kara Szathmáry FIAAA – Panama City, Florida 5/7/2008
I am so sorry to hear of the sudden passing of Beth Avery. My sympathies go out to her family and those in this group who were close to her. Beth’s long term service and participation in the IAAA embodies the best of what this organization is all about. I’d like to submit a suggestion to the board that a memorial award be established in her name, or perhaps some type of scholarship be created in Beth’s honor for young aspiring space artists.
– Robin Hart – Grass Valley, California
Great Idea! I didn’t know Beth, but from seeing years of her excellent service on items in the listserv that should be at least one of the things we do for her memory.
– Pat Rawlings FIAAA – Dripping Springs, Texas
Her passing was totally unexpected. At the time of her retirement letter, she was planning a major exhibition of her recent art. Beth, I believe, was asymptomatic with her illness. Entering the hospital April 14, then being diagnosed a week later–THAT had got to have been a _horrific_ realization. Still in shock, grief and the blues for my friend.”
– Kara Szathmáry FIAAA – Panama City, Florida
Thank you, Kara, for that little bit of information. I’m sure we were all wondering how this came about so suddenly. I’m of course saddened greatly at such a loss – what a talented artist! How thankful we can be for the many years of faithful service she gave our organization. I had been wondering if her retirement from the Treasurer position had been due to health reasons, but I guess not. I find it eerily providential to have stepped into her shoes so shortly before her passing.
– Paul Hoffman – Ewing, New Jersey
Tomorrow there will be a delivery of our memorial flowers to Beth’s home address. The selection chosen was to find the palette of colors she often used in her floral arrangements within her paintings. The Celebration of Life Standing Spray bears the Message:
“On behalf the International Association of Astronomical Artists: In Loving memory of our dear colleague and friend
– IAAA Board of Trustees”
In “Today’s Top Artists” January 2008: The impressive beauty of artist Beth Avary’s paintings has a way of transcending viewers from the struggles of daily life to a place of peace and tranquility. Avary’s passion for beauty and acknowledging the good in the world are reflected in her work and in her philosophy on art.
On one of many website belonging to Beth Avary, I found one of her beloved poems: TAKE TIME
Take time to work
It is the price of success
Take time to think
It is the source of power
Take time to play
It is the secret of perpetual youth
Take time to read
It is the fountain of wisdom
Take time to be friendly
It is the road to happiness
Take time to love and be loved
It is nourishment for the soul
Take time to share
It is too short a life to be selfish
Take time to laugh
It is the music of the heart
Take time to dream
It is hitching your wagon to a star.
~Anonymous In memory, and with deepest respect.
– Kara Szathmáry FIAAA – Panama City, Florida
Yes Beth’s very sudden and unexpected passing away comes as a shock. I didn’t know Beth personally. To me she was a name and an artist. A name that was ever present since I joined the IAAA many years ago. She was invisible and yet the name Beth Avery echoed all over the IAAA foundations. She was discreet and yet ever so present. The invisible glue that helped hold the IAAA together. My thoughts are with her family and children as I know by personal experience what the sudden and brutal loss of a very creative loved-one means. All my condolences go to them.
– Erik Viktor – Costa Rica
