Semper Avanti! Remembering KK
Remembering Karen Koltonow
March 31, 1955 - July 20, 2024
(New DNA 2nd birthday November 19, 2005)
“My life is my art, my art is my life, and I live it every day and it goes beyond the clay.”
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Karen Koltonow, a beloved teacher and integral part of our community art studio for over 30 years. Known to most as KK, she was an empathetic and curious individual who always pushed boundaries and encouraged her students to do the same.
She began her formal art career with a degree in Painting and Ceramics from Franconia College in New Hampshire. KK discovered the Sharon Art Studio in 1985, and began teaching in1990 utilizing an approach of wonderment at the mysteries of clay. InNovember of 2003 she was diagnosed with leukemia and other unusual blood diseases that eventually put her on the road to a bone marrow transplant on November 19, 2005, a date she referred to as her New DNA 2nd Birthday (deserving of an annual celebration). For over 20 years KK battled cancer and the side effects from various treatments. Ultimately, the cancer returned to her mouth with no more treatment options. She passed away on July 20, 2024.
A true risk-taker, KK's unapologetic spirit and unwavering dedication to the arts left an indelible mark on all who knew her. She took no bullshit and lived her life with a boldness that made us sit up and pay attention. KK's legacy will continue to live on through her students and the countless lives she touched. More information on upcoming celebrations of KK's life will be announced as plans are finalized. Please also take a moment to learn more about KK and her involvement in Art for Recovery, a UCSF non-profit providing a safe environment for cancer and HIV/AIDs patients to creatively express the intense feelings that arise in their diagnosis.
“Observing without evaluating is the highest form of human intelligence.”
—J. Krishnamurti
Do you have more memories and/or photos you'd like to share with the community? Email nicki@sharonartstudio.org. Thank you.
The ceramic works and community teaching of Karen Koltonow are such a deep inspiration for makers everywhere. It is lovely how craft traditions connect with modern digital artistry, much like the gentle and thoughtful crafting loops in the Dressmaker Game. Her lasting impact on art students will continue to be cherished.
Karen Koltonow's dedication to teaching art and inspiring hands-on creativity is truly touching. It is wonderful to see communities celebrate artistic exploration and creative crafts, much like the gentle creative loops in the Dressmaker Game that celebrate making and design. Her spirit clearly continues to inspire so many artists and makers.
Inspiring tribute to KK and her incredible legacy in arts education. Creative open projects like Pokemon 2D Arena share that spirit of building and creating together. Thank you for this remembrance.
Thank you for sharing this tribute to KK and her passion for teaching art and inspiring students. Creative endeavors and community projects like Pokemon 2D Arena continue that spirit of exploration and creativity. Wonderful memories.
Great article commemorating KK's wonderful legacy. Fans of retro gaming and creative indie art projects will definitely appreciate Roaring Knight Fight as well.