Constance F. Costigan's Obituary
Artist and long-time Lewes DE resident , Constance Costigan passed away on Tuesday, August 27 after 89 years of an extraordinary life. She is survived by Michael Krausz, her beloved husband of 48 years, and by numerous close friends in her circles of friendships.
Connie was a renaissance woman. Her love of the arts spanned diverse disciplines and began early in her childhood. She became a tenured Professor of Fine Arts at George Washington University where she served from 1976-2002, and since then as Professor Emerita. She won many juried awards, including the Delaware by Hand Master award, and fellowships from several foundations including the MacDowell Colony. She was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in London, England, and served as Distinguished Visiting Professor at the American University in Cairo, Egypt. She enjoyed the outdoors, hiking and rock climbing in her youth. She enjoyed classical music and the symphony. She traveled the world and spoke often of her trips to Ladakh in the Himalayas of India.
Connie created beautiful and moving works of art that many people now enjoy, locally and beyond. In Connie’s words, “My work suggests visions of stillness and sensuality, spiritual meditations on energy and matter in constant transformation. The object of my work is to bring forth the presence of the unseen.”
Her works are in major collections such as the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, the Phillips Collection, the University of Iowa Museum, the George Washington University Permanent Collection, and other public and private collections in the U.S. and abroad. She was the subject of a one-person show and catalog at the Phillips Collection. Her works have been exhibited in one-person and group shows in New York, Washington, Philadelphia, Cleveland, England, Scotland, and India. A frequent lecturer and juror for art programs, she conducted workshops at numerous educational and arts organizations. She received her B.S. from Simmons College and the Boston Museum School, her M.A. in painting from American University in Washington, D.C., and engaged in post-graduate work at the University of California-Berkeley, the University of Virginia-Fairfax, and the University of the District of Columbia. Significant work provided her with experience as a designer, curator, and instructor for the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., Arlington County (Virginia) Public Schools, and Arlington Art Center in Virginia, among others.
In the 1970s, Connie and Michael bought a wonderful old house on East Market Street. in Lewes. For many years, Connie taught at George Washington University and Michael taught Philosophy at Bryn Mawr, connecting on the weekends in Lewes. After retiring in 2003, Connie moved to Lewes full-time. She became an active supporter and volunteer for the Rehoboth Art League, the Greater Lewes Foundation, the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, the Beebe Foundation, and the Lewes Historical Society. We are all grateful that Greater Lewes is a more cultured and beautiful place due to Connie’s efforts.
Connie was filled with amazing and contagious joie de vivre. She was also a great friend to so many people, nurturing her circles of friendships, including her Lewes neighbors, fellow artists of the Artists’ Exchange in Delaware, and the book clubs she cherished for decades. She enriched our lives in the years we were privileged to spend with her. She leaves a great void in our hearts that can only be filled by our wonderful memories of time with her.
A celebration of her life for friends and family will be held on Friday, October 18, 2024, from noon until 3:00 PM at the Lewes Yacht Club.
Contributions in Connie’s name would be welcome at any of the charities listed above. Connie loved them all!
Please sign the virtual guestbook located on the tribute page.
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