Because we are nearing the year anniversary of the death of Barry Cohen, and Under The Oaks was his last show-I was honored to write and deliver a speech in his honor at the Friday banquet awards dinner. I wanted to share it with each and every one of you...We have lost one of our own and the world has lost a gifted artist...and more importantly, a wonderful guy, Barry Cohen. he created unique acrylic sculptures that resembled aquariums, and he was just as unique as they were..Just about a year ago, five days after he attended the Under The Oaks art show, he was in a fatal car accident...I would like to honor his life, right here, for just a few moments.I have come to believe that the root of memory is not so much what we wish to retain as what we are unable to forget. Barry was one of those people...a generous friend, wonderful father and dedicated son...he had a talent for selling..a technique all his own- he would say,"this is the Gallery price, this is the Show price -he cracked me up!It would seem remiss if I didn't bring up a very important point about Barry's accident....it could have been avoided! At this show last year, an artist pointed out the low tread on Barry's tires..he said that he thought he had gotten enough mileage out of them ...Barry shrugged and said that he had 500-600 miles more left on them...five days later , he had a blowout on I 95, and without a bulk head in his van, was killed. We are the highway troopers, every one of us! Please, check your tires!Barry, you will be the smile on our lips and the radiance in the hearts of all of us who knew you...to quote Valerie Harper...."Life is amazing, live it to the fullest, stay as long as you can!
Thank you so much, Patti, for sharing this remembrance of Barry with us here. People like Barry have so enriched our art fair lives. Seeing him nearby at a show was a reason to smile as he enlightened the atmosphere around him.
Please everyone reading this, even if you didn't know Barry, take Patti's warning to heart. Maintain your vehicles so you can continue not only getting to your next art fair but home again to those who love you.
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Thank you so much, Patti, for sharing this remembrance of Barry with us here. People like Barry have so enriched our art fair lives. Seeing him nearby at a show was a reason to smile as he enlightened the atmosphere around him.
Please everyone reading this, even if you didn't know Barry, take Patti's warning to heart. Maintain your vehicles so you can continue not only getting to your next art fair but home again to those who love you.