An accomplished painter and sculptor whose works appear at the Weisman Art Museum, Duluth’s Tweed Museum of Art, local temples, hospitals, and private collections across the country, Georgette Sosin, 87, was remembered at a celebration of her life on the summer solstice. By the time she and husband Henry, who passed away in 2009, landed in Northeast and participated in Art-A-Whirl, she was 61 and they were meeting the public on their own terms at the building Georgette bought in 1999 at 1231 Washington St. NE.
Georgette Madeleine Heyman Sosin died December 10, 2021. Her obituary said “Georgette focused on interpreting the natural world and cosmos. Her work reflects her love of science, the universal elements of spirituality and the great cosmic mysteries. She leaves a multitude of beautiful works as her legacy. Her mentors included Madeleine Simon-Jossem, Kurt Roesch, Theodore Roszak, Ezio Martinelli, Joseph Campbell, Edgard Pillet, Katherine Nash, and Amos Owen.”
Friend Loretta Bebeau considered Georgette a mentor. They met while involved in Artists Equity, of which Sosin was a founding member. “For me, she was pivotal. We ran into each other at the Walgreen’s in 1994. I lived down the street and had a home studio. She invited herself to see my studio and my art. We looked at the art and she tried to convince me that it would be so much better to have a studio OUT of the house. Then she walked over to my husband who was sitting at a desk working, and said “you wouldn’t mind if Loretta took a studio downtown?” and she explained how it would benefit. She gave me the phone number and recommendation. I went to visit the space, and after mulling it over, wrote the check. The studio changed me. Having a space of my own helped me grow.”
Sosin followed the national arts scene, and testified before the Minnesota State Legislature to get a percent for the arts included in Minnesota State building projects. “She did this with Artists Equity as a support because there were no arts organizations yet,” Bebeau said.
As an Art-A-Whirl coordinator for the first three years the Sosins were in Northeast, I remember a sense that they, and particularly Georgette, knew how these things are done. They did their part, and had very dignified events.
“I visited her regularly because she always had a fantastic project,” Bebeau said. “There was a large triptych, it hung from the wall.” While Henry was known for hand-built pots, Georgette’s sculptures and paintings were often large. She taught welding at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. “Georgette invited artists,” Bebeau said. “She curated shows in her studio and it was a scene.”
– Compiled by Margo Ashmore
