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