Post by blackcrowheart on Dec 28, 2005 21:46:55 GMT -5
IN MEMORY: Gary Avey, Native Peoples publisher
Here is a statement released by Native Peoples Magazine. Please
distribute...
A Light in the Desert: Gary Avey
Gary Avey, the founder and publisher of Native Peoples magazine,
passed away
in his Phoenix home on Dec. 20, 2005, felled by complications from lung
cancer. A widely known and beloved figure in the American Indian arts and
cultural community, he launched Native Peoples in 1987, dedicated to "the
sensitive portrayal of the arts and lifeways of the Native peoples of the
Americas." But this was just the last jewel of a lifetime of endeavor.
Gary was born in Phoenix on June 5, 1940, and was the third generation of
his family to be involved in the arts in Arizona. His paternal grandmother
became an art teacher in Mesa in 1920-perhaps the first public-school art
teacher in the state. His father, George Avey, paired with Raymond Carlson
in 1938 to transform a state highway department pamphlet into Arizona
Highways magazine.
Graduation from Arizona State University with a bachelor of science in
1965
was followed by an Army commission. After several years on the East German
border as a captain in the 2nd Armored Cavalry, Gary returned to ASU to
complete the coursework for a master of arts in art education. Freelance
graphic design work led him to his first position in the publishing realm,
as art director at the printing firm W.A. Krueger. In 1979, he was
selected
editor of Arizona Highways. Under his direction, the magazine grew to its
all-time-high circulation of 500,000, and he oversaw production of
many fine
large-format books, calendars and even the state road map!
In 1985, he was appointed deputy director of the Heard Museum, where,
among
his other duties, in 1987 he launched a modest quarterly museum magazine
called Native Peoples. Taking a huge leap of faith, but believing the
publication could flourish as an independent venture, Gary left the museum
in 1988 to focus on the magazine.
Since its inception, the magazine has run some 550 major articles and
countless shorter stories exploring almost every facet of life among the
diverse Native peoples of the Western Hemisphere-from the Altiplano of
Bolivia to the Canadian Arctic-featuring Native foods, music, places,
artists, athletes, farmers, thinkers, shamen, storytellers and even one
astronaut. It remembers the past, profiles the living and dances on the
cutting edge, telling the tales of the astounding florescence of Native
American art, culture and community as we pass into a new millennium. Gary
grew the magazine from a small publication of the Heard Museum in Phoenix
into an attractive, thought-provoking, self-supporting bi-monthly magazine
recognized around the world.
Despite the difficult task of maintaining an eclectic magazine, Gary also
found time to serve in many capacities as a volunteer, administrator and
organizer. Among other positions, he served on the board of directors
of St.
Luke's Hospital for about 15 years, for many years on the board of the
Phoenix Indian Center, and six years as chairman of the Arizona Commission
on the Arts. He was a board member of Arizonans for Cultural Development,
and on the Arts and Business Council of Greater Phoenix. One of his
proudest
final appointments was his appointment as committee chairman for arts and
cultural development for MPAC, funded by the Flynn Foundation. In 2002, he
received the Arts Advocate of the Year Award from Business Volunteers for
the Arts, and in the fall of 2005, he was honored with an award from
Native
American Recognition Days of Arizona for his many services performed
for the
Native American community.
Every week for most of his life he served in the food line at St.
Vincent de
Paul church in Phoenix, and rang the bell every holiday season for the
Salvation Army. He simply enjoyed wishing strangers merry Christmas
saying,
"God bless you."
Gary believed in doing, and his pluck, his humor, his determination
and his
vision will be missed.
By Daniel Gibson
Here is a statement released by Native Peoples Magazine. Please
distribute...
A Light in the Desert: Gary Avey
Gary Avey, the founder and publisher of Native Peoples magazine,
passed away
in his Phoenix home on Dec. 20, 2005, felled by complications from lung
cancer. A widely known and beloved figure in the American Indian arts and
cultural community, he launched Native Peoples in 1987, dedicated to "the
sensitive portrayal of the arts and lifeways of the Native peoples of the
Americas." But this was just the last jewel of a lifetime of endeavor.
Gary was born in Phoenix on June 5, 1940, and was the third generation of
his family to be involved in the arts in Arizona. His paternal grandmother
became an art teacher in Mesa in 1920-perhaps the first public-school art
teacher in the state. His father, George Avey, paired with Raymond Carlson
in 1938 to transform a state highway department pamphlet into Arizona
Highways magazine.
Graduation from Arizona State University with a bachelor of science in
1965
was followed by an Army commission. After several years on the East German
border as a captain in the 2nd Armored Cavalry, Gary returned to ASU to
complete the coursework for a master of arts in art education. Freelance
graphic design work led him to his first position in the publishing realm,
as art director at the printing firm W.A. Krueger. In 1979, he was
selected
editor of Arizona Highways. Under his direction, the magazine grew to its
all-time-high circulation of 500,000, and he oversaw production of
many fine
large-format books, calendars and even the state road map!
In 1985, he was appointed deputy director of the Heard Museum, where,
among
his other duties, in 1987 he launched a modest quarterly museum magazine
called Native Peoples. Taking a huge leap of faith, but believing the
publication could flourish as an independent venture, Gary left the museum
in 1988 to focus on the magazine.
Since its inception, the magazine has run some 550 major articles and
countless shorter stories exploring almost every facet of life among the
diverse Native peoples of the Western Hemisphere-from the Altiplano of
Bolivia to the Canadian Arctic-featuring Native foods, music, places,
artists, athletes, farmers, thinkers, shamen, storytellers and even one
astronaut. It remembers the past, profiles the living and dances on the
cutting edge, telling the tales of the astounding florescence of Native
American art, culture and community as we pass into a new millennium. Gary
grew the magazine from a small publication of the Heard Museum in Phoenix
into an attractive, thought-provoking, self-supporting bi-monthly magazine
recognized around the world.
Despite the difficult task of maintaining an eclectic magazine, Gary also
found time to serve in many capacities as a volunteer, administrator and
organizer. Among other positions, he served on the board of directors
of St.
Luke's Hospital for about 15 years, for many years on the board of the
Phoenix Indian Center, and six years as chairman of the Arizona Commission
on the Arts. He was a board member of Arizonans for Cultural Development,
and on the Arts and Business Council of Greater Phoenix. One of his
proudest
final appointments was his appointment as committee chairman for arts and
cultural development for MPAC, funded by the Flynn Foundation. In 2002, he
received the Arts Advocate of the Year Award from Business Volunteers for
the Arts, and in the fall of 2005, he was honored with an award from
Native
American Recognition Days of Arizona for his many services performed
for the
Native American community.
Every week for most of his life he served in the food line at St.
Vincent de
Paul church in Phoenix, and rang the bell every holiday season for the
Salvation Army. He simply enjoyed wishing strangers merry Christmas
saying,
"God bless you."
Gary believed in doing, and his pluck, his humor, his determination
and his
vision will be missed.
By Daniel Gibson