The news had spread quickly throughout conference goers about Don Reitz’s passing. There was something very touching about receiving this news at NCECA. Anyone who had known him had stories to tell. What I kept hearing over and over again was not so much about his work, but rather who he was as a man. His warmth, generosity and positive attitude were what he was most remembered for.

During the last day of the conference, while we sat together in the darkened auditorium listening to the emerging artists talks, a moment was taken for remembrance. Together we clapped in rhythm and held hands throughout the crowd, sending his soul onto the next adventure. The emotion of that moment was powerful. You could sense in that room all of the lives that he had touched.

Rest in peace Don.

The following is a quote from an artist statement of his that was included in the obituary posted by the American Craft Council. You can read it in it’s entirety here: http://craftcouncil.org/post/remembering-don-reitz

When I work I think a lot. Mostly it’s not about that which is in front of me. That action is generally a spontaneous response. I just think, tell ridiculous stories, or pretend I am the greatest artist of all time. I think about who is really forming who at this moment and other seemingly unrelated stuff, an integral component. Lately, due in part to the passing of my dear friends and heroes, I have been thinking about time. Surely the greatest gift of all, yet we take it for granted. This gift of time what shall I do with it? How much time is there? Will I waste it by worrying about the RULES, yesterday’s idea, or about laborious, extraneous techniques before I need them? I choose not to.

–Don Reitz