Constance Costigan, artist, community volunteer
Constance Costigan, artist and longtime Lewes resident, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, after 89 years of an extraordinary life. She is survived by her beloved husband of 48 years, Michael Krausz; and numerous close friends in her circles of friendships.
Connie was a Renaissance woman. Her love of the arts spanned diverse disciplines and began early in her childhood. She became a tenured professor of fine arts at George Washington University, where she served from 1976-2002, and since then as professor emerita. She won many juried awards, including the Delaware by Hand Master award, and fellowships from several foundations including the MacDowell Colony. She was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in London, England, and served as Distinguished Visiting Professor at the American University in Cairo, Egypt. She enjoyed the outdoors, hiking, and rock climbing in her youth. She enjoyed classical music and the symphony. She traveled the world and spoke often of her trips to Ladakh in the Himalayas of India.
Connie created beautiful and moving works of art that many people now enjoy, locally and beyond. In Connie’s words, “My work suggests visions of stillness and sensuality, spiritual meditations on energy and matter in constant transformation. The object of my work is to bring forth the presence of the unseen.”
Her works are in major collections such as the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, the Phillips Collection, the University of Iowa Museum, the George Washington University Permanent Collection, and other public and private collections in the U.S. and abroad. She was the subject of a one-person show and catalog at the Phillips Collection. Her works have been exhibited in one-person and group shows in New York, Washington, Philadelphia, Cleveland, England, Scotland, and India. A frequent lecturer and juror for art programs, she conducted workshops at numerous educational and arts organizations. She received her B.S. from Simmons College and the Boston Museum School, her M.A. in painting from American University in Washington, D.C., and engaged in postgraduate work at University of California-Berkeley, University of Virginia-Fairfax, and University of the District of Columbia. Significant work provided her with experience as a designer, curator, and instructor for the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., Arlington County (Virginia) Public Schools, and Arlington Art Center in Virginia, among others.
In the 1970s, Connie and Michael bought a wonderful old house on East Market Street in Lewes. For many years, Connie taught at George Washington University and Michael taught philosophy at Bryn Mawr, connecting on the weekends in Lewes. After retiring in 2003, Connie moved to Lewes full time. She became an active supporter and volunteer for Rehoboth Art League, Greater Lewes Foundation, Historic Lewes Farmers Market, Beebe Medical Foundation, and Lewes Historical Society. We are all grateful that Lewes is a more cultured and beautiful place due to Connie’s efforts.
Connie was filled with amazing and contagious joie de vivre. She was also a great friend to so many people, nurturing her circles of friendships, including her Lewes neighbors, fellow artists of the Artists’ Exchange in Delaware, and the book clubs she cherished for decades. She enriched our lives in the years we were privileged to spend with her. She leaves a great void in our hearts that can only be filled by our wonderful memories of time with her.
A celebration of her life for friends and family will be held from noon to 3 p.m., Friday, Oct. 18, at Lewes Yacht Club, Lewes.
Contributions in Connie’s name are welcome for the charities listed above. Connie loved them all!
Visit Connie’s Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
