Two weeks ago the Arts Education Council at Americans for the Arts and the arts education community at-large lost a tremendously talented artist, educator, and advocate in Alyx Kellington. She passed away on July 29, 2012 near Palm Beach, FL, leaving behind an incredible career in the arts and many friends.
As the news of her death begins to settle in for so many of us, I’ve been reflecting on my last experience being in Alyx’s presence and have been asked by the Arts Education Council to share this story with you as our lasting tribute.
A few of us were fortunate to have spent 2012 Americans for the Arts Annual Convention in San Antonio with Alyx—she and I were hotel roommates. That first evening together we hung out at a restaurant where an amazing Dixie Land style band was playing. She spoke of her rich and diverse experience with music growing up in Austin, TX and was quite fortunate to have been exposed to such an array of musical talent at an early age.
At the Convention opening reception, I’ll never forget how happy Alyx seemed as we watched musician after musician take the outdoor stage. She grew up listening to many of theses famous acts as a child, and now here they were all together on one stage under the canopy of a beautiful Texas night.
Alyx was like a walking Texas arts and culture history lesson where I, along with several other arts education council members, learned so much from her that week.
Only knowing her as an arts educator, many of us were surprised to learn of her amazing photojournalism career that took Alyx literally all over the world. She really lit up when she talked about photography, the people she met along the way and the places where she lived. Her beautiful and captivating photojournalism work can be found archived on her website.
On our last afternoon together we took a quick shopping trip to a local market. Alyx helped me pick out a few “Day of the Dead” gifts characteristic of San Antonio culture and then we shared a cab ride to the airport. She spoke lovingly about seeing her dogs, her “babies” again, and she was excited about an opportunity that might bring her back to Haiti where she had once lived.
Alyx was really pleased with the Arts Education Peer Exchange conversation she took part in at convention led by fellow council member Raymond Tymas-Jones and recognized it would take a little more time to become acclimated to her new job in a slightly unfamiliar higher education environment at Florida State University’s College of Motion Picture Arts.
One of Alyx’s many photos from her time in Haiti.
We arrived at the airport and agreed we’d meet up after checking our bags. The security line for my terminal was extremely long, so instead of waiting for Alyx and saying a proper goodbye with hugs, I decided to jump in line—something I will now forever regret.
Sadly, losing Alyx is a reminder that the little annoyances and hardships we might face in our own lives really don’t matter if we are among good people who love and care for us. I wish Alyx had felt that and known she had so many people who cared for her, but at least she is at peace now. Her absence will be such a loss for our arts education community.
There is an online guest book where you may post a memory or comment. There’s also an incredible, beautifully written tribute to Alyx posted from a friend.
A beautiful memorial service was held for Alyx on August 5 at the William O. Lockhart Municipal Pier located in Lake Worth Beach, FL. For those who wish to remember her, in lieu of flowers, her friends ask that donations be made to For the Children Inc., where she was a long-time supporter and volunteer. On August 18, For the Children will be hosting a Multi-Cultural Festival that Alyx had attended for the past decade. This year’s festival will be in her honor.
Donations can be sent to For the Children Inc. at: 1718 Douglas St., Lake Worth, FL, 33460.
(Editor’s note: As a member of the Arts Education Council, Alyx was a regular contributor to ARTSblog. Links to her posts can be found here. She will be greatly missed.)
