Art sale to benefit son of late Berkeley art professor

Among the pieces on sale at the Worth Ryder Gallery will be “Fairtales," an artwork lithograph, 30x22 inches, by Art Practice Professor Richard Shaw.

31 October 2001 | The late Wendy Sussman, who died of cancer last spring at age 51, was a dedicated art professor, respected artist and devoted mother to her 15-year-old son, Gabriel Sussman Rodriguez.

To help raise money for Gabriel’s education — a primary concern for Sussman during her life — her friends and colleagues are sponsoring an art sale on campus.

Works may be purchased from 1 to 6 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 11, through Friday, Nov. 16, at the Worth Ryder Gallery in Kroeber Hall. All proceeds will benefit the Gabriel Sussman Rodriguez Education Fund.

More than 80 artists — including colleagues and former students — have donated artwork for the show. Among the pieces on sale are works by Berkeley art professors Katherine Sherwood, Richard Shaw and Squeak Carnwath and lecturer Jane Rosen.

“I’m forever indebted to Wendy’s friends for their generosity and support during this difficult time,” said Sussman’s husband, Juan Rodriguez. “She gave a lot during her life and now her friends are giving back in a most wonderful way.”

Because Sussman was the main breadwinner for the family, she was concerned for her son’s welfare, said Rodriguez. Her friends picked up on that, he said, and organized the education fund and art sale shortly after she passed away.

Her zest for life, honesty and inquisitive nature, Rodriguez said, created an intense loyalty among her friends and students.

“She was a painter’s painter,” said Sherwood. “She was very well respected for her exceptional artistic and teaching abilities. We all loved her.”

Art in a variety of media, including sculpture, mixed media and painting, will be on sale. Prices will range from $50 to $10,000. Organizers say the benefit is a great opportunity for Bay Area collectors to acquire coveted works while contributing to a worthy cause.

To kick off the sale, an opening reception will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 11 in Worth Ryder Gallery. For information, call (415) 665-6131.