4.15.2015

Remembering Sue "Soupe" Patterson

Sue Patterson, artist, teacher and mentor - passed away in her home in Alamosa on April 7th. If you are a resident of San Luis Valley - Colorado - you probably know this news.
I just want to take a moment to remember Sue.
She was the first artist I met when I moved to the San Luis Valley 12 years ago;  she was my son’s elementary school art teacher.  A lot of people in Alamosa,  parents, and their now grown-up children, will remember her in that capacity - Sue was a very special teacher.  Everything she did sparkled with life and wit and imagination.  She was raising up artists and art lovers right under our noses - and these kids saw it as pure magic. Thank you Sue - for the way you planted a love of art into the hearts and minds of my children.

In 2009 she received the Colorado Elementary Art Teacher of the Year award and I believe this will be her true legacy:  the kids she motivated, and the many student teachers from Adams State University that she mentored and inspired to go on and be part of Art Education in our state.

Sue was an accomplished watercolor painter and after recently retiring from education she concentrated on both painting and welding, making fabulous metal sculptures. It was a second, or third art career,  just taking off.
Last November Sue and I traded art pieces. I desperately wanted her belly up “Daschund” - and she chose my plein air painting “Spring Thaw on 6th Street”; it was a very happy trade.
And now - I am even more grateful- because I have something that celebrates her - in the fun and witty way I remember her.

A Service will be held at Richardson Hall Auditorium on the ASU Campus on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 2:00 pm.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Sue’s memory to the Sue “Soupe” Patterson Art Memorial Scholarship fund at 208 Edgemont Blvd., Alamosa 81101.
We have lost a dedicated and inspiring arts educator,  artist,  mentor and wonderful person.
Sue
will be greatly missed and greatly remembered.