Cue points:
- 288 reads
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Celebrating the Life of Jonas Emmanuel Blanchet-Fricke 4/16/23
Producer:
- 288 reads
Description:
- Mixed medium artist Jonas Fricke’s death has rocked the communities, near and far, he held dear. Fricke, 42, of the Brattleboro area, died March 5 2023 in Tallahassee, Florida. This memorial celebrating his artistic life was held on April 16th and took over most of downtown Brattleboro for over six hours, featuring multiple parades, dancing, performances, and a canoe launch by the Connecticut River.
- Fricke inspired fellow artists and friends to pursue their art or creativity and be their authentic selves. Fricke created the Buoyant Heart Art Collective, which had about 12 studios and a performing space. Kay Curtis of Brattleboro said Fricke was a member of the original group of artists that formed Harmony Collective Artist Gallery in 2019.
- As a child, Fricke also participated in the gifted arts program at Marlboro Elementary School. He spent one year at Brattleboro Union High School before joining his sister at a Quaker boarding school, then attending Warren Wilson College and Vermont College. Fricke worked at the Putney Day Care for several years and later the Wildflower Play school in Putney. He was “a beloved nanny for numerous children in Brattleboro and Putney,” states the biography. He worked at Green Mountain Botanicals helping them make their supplements. He also was involved with community supported agriculture work on Circle Mountain Farm and SUSU commUNITY Farm.
- His sister and mother described how Fricke overcame anxiety through creative acts. As a child, Fricke came up with a “awesomology,” a philosophy about why it’s so awesome to be alive. Influenced by the ethos of Bread & Puppet Theater, Fricke believed art should be available to everyone and didn’t view it as a commercial enterprise.
- The family is planning a large community gathering and celebration for Fricke in July.
Production Date:
Sunday, April 16, 2023 - 14:45
