Rae was part of the Natural Passings Collective, helping plan the workshop and panel coming up March 27-29 in Madison. She gave us some unanticipated hands-on experience. Here are some picutes of her burial.
I knew Rae for many years, all the way back to some of the early PSG days. My fondest memories of her include; her work and classes on meditation, the workshop I taught with her on handfastings at PPD, her craftshop at an RCGI event on miniature art and Goddess doll making, her political activism and her work in both interfaith and intra-faith. I honored her outspoken ways AND her willingness to change her mind when given cause. I identified with her feminist lifestyle and beliefs and her advocacy for prison rights, in fact, I identified with her advocacy for all who are oppressed by the system of class-ism, and all “isms”.
I also loved her art, was the recipient of her hospitality on numerous occasions, and appreciated her fine mind and greatly appreciated that she “walked between the tribes”, as I have been called to do.
I did not hear of her death until Thursday evening, due to not checking my email because of my own bout with the flu. It was a very unhappy shock for me.
I will cherish what I learned from her and hold you, her closest friends and family in my heart during these hard times.
Many blessings and all my love,
Mari Powers
In the early to mid 1990s Rae served for eight years on the national board of the Women’s Caucus for Art, the nation’s oldest and largest multidisciplinary women’s art organization. During much of that time she was the Vice President in charge of Chapter Development. She put together board and organizational development materials that are still a model of clarity and usability. She and Math also traveled to Philadelphia at no small cost to themselves to the organization’s headquarters to computerize the office and membership database. I have been receiving messages from artists around the country saddened by her loss and I share some of them here.
My heart is heavy yet my spirit flies with her………….she will always be a part of my work. Future Akins, artist, Lubbock, Texas
How sad that someone whose art was so vibrant should die so young. I will never forget how lovely the piece she did for the women’s studies conference exhibit was, or her magical series of brooms. I hope that there will be a major retrospective of her work and a catalogue to document it. I would certainly enjoy owning one and would enjoy teaching students about her work. It makes one reflect on how the work of many important women artists is not sufficiently documented. My condolences go to everyone who has known and loved Rae at this sad moment. Gail Tremblay, artist, poet, and professor, Evergreen State, and past national president of the WCA
Rae Atira-Soncea, woman of heart and woman of art. She was an amazing presence wherever she went. I recall going to the WCA National board meetings and other events and watching Rae share her powerful spirit with all of us. We will miss her. I will miss her. Flo Oy Wong, artist, Sunnydale, California
I didn’t know Rae very well, but I loved her work! This is very sad and a terrible loss. Please accept my condolences. It is wonderful that you are working on a retrospective that was started while Rae was still alive… Susan Noyes Platt, art historian and critic, Seattle, Washington
I’m so sorry to hear about Rae. I have such fond memories of working with her on the board of WCA. Susan Grabel Rappaport, artist, New York City
We have lost Rae. She was a wonderful artist and inspiration to so many. Ruth Waters, sculptor, and Founder & Director at 1870 Art Center, Belmont, CA
Oh, this is the saddest news. What a wonderful, smart and insightful woman. Margaret McDowell, artist, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
I am sorry to hear the news about Rae. She was a very fine and powerful artist. I’m glad I got a chance to see the show you had together at the Commonwealth Gallery in Madison. Thanks for letting me know. My sympathy and blessings to her family. You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers. Katherine Rogers, artist, Minneapolis
Thank you so much for letting me know of Rae’s untimely passing. I hope the retrospective and catalog is realized. At least there should be a record of her wonderful work. Jean Towgood, artist, Los Angeles, and past national president of the national WCA
Rae Atira-Soncea had a vibrant personality and generous spirit. She will be
missed. Te acompaño en los sentimientos– my spirit is with you in this very sad
time. Imna Arroyo, artist, professor, Connecticut, and past national president of the WCA.
Very sad news. It reminds me of just how tenuous life can be. Please keep me up to date on the progress of her show and catalog-we all need to remember this very special person–Life is a journey and it is sad that her journey has ended-but the legacy of her work and life will continue on in all of us whose life she touched. Ann Webb, artist, Houston, TX
As I grow older, I am constantly reminded of the brevity of our lives on earth. Rae was a powerful voice. She taught me so much…….and she was there, for us, when we needed her voice. Jo Hockenull, artist, Independence, Oregon
I am so saddened to hear about Rae. A powerful soul has left and her spot will be empty forever. Betsy Damon, artist, New York
This is the quilt Rae asked to have wrapped around her. She had pinned it up, but it still needed a bit of work, sewing, basting, and removing the pins. Thanks to all who helped with the sewing. 
Rae had asked Casey to make a beechwood bench in her memory, for folks to sit at at her grave, if they like. Does anyone viewing this know of a dying Beech tree, or a log, or some lumber we can get. Beech (genus Fagus) is not common around here, more back East. We will find something, I’m sure, but one way is to ask…
Rae had her 56th Birthday Feb 16, but was gong to celebrate it with a party on May 16th, ’cause she was tired of having a winter birthday. So we are throwing her a party!
Where: our house (contact me at math@hedgecroft.net to get directions, not sure about having my address out for the world to see)
When 10 am – whenever, Saturday, May 16, 2009 We will provide refreshments, entertainment, and have Rae’s art up to see!
There will be a reception Saturday, March 7th, 12:30 – 5, at The Inferno, 1718 Commercial Avenue in Madison. (just off Sherman). Potluck, come any time. Volunteers to help set up can contact Casey at (608) 332-5570, to clean up, show up near 5pm.
We’ll have a slideshow going, and will be taking donations for her favorite charities (among a host):
Grassroots Leadership College; http://www.grassrootsleadershipcollege.org/
The Earth Conclave; http://www.earthconclave.org/
Trust for Natural Legacies;http://naturallegacies.org/
James Reeb Unitarian;http://www.jruuc.org/
and her grandson Rio’s college fund. Please send cards and correspondence to PO Box 14413, Madison WI 53708.
Rae and Casey
Dear Math & Family,
When I moved back to Madison two years ago to work in the arts, Rae welcomed me with open arms. She cared about issues of inclusion and exclusion and demonstrated it in the way she lived her life, inclusively. She invited me into a professional community of Madison’s long time stewards of arts and arts education to help me get oriented to the folks doing this very important work in our community. Recently, we worked together on the School District’s Fine Arts Task Force and in the Arts Educators Roundtable. In those settings I was always impressed by Rae’s commitment to the cause. She spoke up for racial and socio-economic equality and she did so smoothly, sagely if you will. She knew of the potential for art and creativity to enrich our lives and she devoted much of her energy to making sure that everyone had equal access to the tools. So many of us are shocked at the sudden transition from Rae’s very active presence in our lives to the news of her death. I hope that for those of us who worked with her, whose lives she touched, that her spirit, her work on this earth, creating beauty, meaning, and equality through art and education continue with increased potency.
Rae spoke of her family so lovingly. I am so sorry that you all are going through this incredible loss. May the memories and stories people share about Rae’s life help comfort you.
With Sympathy, Karin Wolf
Rae had a way of seeing into my soul. Not sure what she saw there, but she shared freely of her thoughts, art processes and family. Living in Alaska meant I didn’t get to spend the time I wanted with her. Who knows, maybe she has been released from the bondage of time and place, and can now help me in the studio here in Alaska!
Here are a few pictures of Rae’s art. She specialized in interpretations/transformations of women’s traditional domestic objects: cabinets, vessels, mirrors, brooms…
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