Artists of the Superstitions

“A Remembrance and Gathering for Kathy Mitchell will be at the Gold Canyon United Methodist Church, in the Koinonia Room, May 5th. Please come anytime from 12:00-2:00pm to honor her life and pay your respects.

6640 S. Kings Ranch Road Gold Canyon, AZ 85118

In lieu of flowers, her family requests donations in memory of Kathy be sent to: GOLD Canyon Arts Council, 5301 S. Superstition Springs Drive, Ste. 104, #183, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118 for the Leland Wilson School Arts Project.”

Kathleen Mitchell Obituary – Tempe, AZ  link for the obituary

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

It is difficult to send this email today. The art world lost a very talented artist; we lost a member and a good friend. Kathy Mitchell passed today. Kathy suffered a massive stroke in mid-December, then was placed in a care home a few days later to meet her needs. Kathy was a kind soul and was always willing to help others. She was very involved with teaching students art. She will be greatly missed by all. 

Mattie Gadd

When it came to promoting the arts throughout our area, Kathy Mitchell was an untiring advocate. On the boards of the Artists of the Superstitions and the Gold Canyon Arts Council, she used her multicultural experience as an art teacher to advance art education and spread art appreciation to anyone who would share her passion. With the scarcity of resources allocated to the arts, she could be seen managing donations from supportive artists and art groups to organize classes by artists in residence, distribute art supplies, and encourage art participation in local schools.

Kathy frequently shared her talents by teaching her silk and watercolor painting techniques to other interested artists, donating her beautiful art for charity fundraisers, and coordinating local events. As our hospitality chair and a studio tour host, she happily encouraged our group to bond in the promotion and enjoyment of our art, always eagerly anticipating the next event and willing to help.

Much loved by her many friends, neighbors, and colleagues, she already is dearly missed and always will be.

Suzanne Lowry

Kathy Mitchell was a beautiful person and my friend. We met when we were both members of the Artists of the Superstitions and I hosted my first Studio Tour and Kathy joined me displaying her beautiful silk scarves and paintings. We attended several Studio Tours together at her home and mine.  We also were lunch buddies.  I last saw Kathy at her Studio Tour last November when we agreed that after my shoulder surgery we would get together for another lunch.  I was about ready to reach out to her when I heard of her death.  

Julie Hathaway

Kathy was, without question, one of the kindest people many of us have ever known. She met everyone with warmth and generosity, always ready to help. Our group has lost one of its very best, and the local community has lost a remarkable artist who freely and joyfully shared her talent.

She will be deeply missed by countless people—many of whom may not yet even know of her passing. Among them are local veterans and schoolchildren who may simply wonder why the kind woman who took the time to hold special classes for them no longer does. It is a profound loss, and Kathy will be remembered and missed by so, so many.

Sharon Comstock

When the studio art tours were in their infancy Kathy was a guest artist here at my home. She along with John added to the “party atmosphere. 

Her hummingbird art depicts the beauty and joy of her spirit.  

You would think as a photographer I’d have a photo of Kathy to share. 

I have looked in my files and there is not a photo that captures her essence but her beautiful spirit and impish grin will always be the image I remember her by. 

Grateful for the friendship we had. 

Joanne West