Michael Piazza Obituary

Dear Piazza Family,
I only learned of Michael's passing today, upon visiting the Mexican Fine Arts Museum and viewing the beautiful ofrenda that was made in his honor. Michael was my teacher when I was an InterArts grad student at Columbia, and I fondly remember his gentle, quiet, yet passionate approach to art, life and the potential of all people to create and enjoy art. Although I did not know Michael all that well, and did not see him often (the last time was at Suzanne Cohen-Lange's retirement party during summer 2005), he always greeted me warmly, making special comments about my work at Columbia, about my profession as a special education consultant, and about our shared background as "southwest siders" (I am originally from the Palos area). I was deeply saddened to learn of his passing, and I am so sorry for your loss.

Michael was my thesis advisor for grad school at Columbia College - he was an inspiration to me then and will continue to be throughout my lifetime. Of all the teachers in the interdisciplinary arts dept, Michael spoke my artistic language.

The first year of college can be pretty scary, especially art school critiques. But I have to say that Michael Piazza was one of the few good things during my first year at SAIC. He was always supportive and engaged in mine and everyone's ideas and concepts. He never judged or criticized. He only offered is utmost help and attention. I can't express how fortunate I feel to have been a student of his. Thank you Michael.

Michael, your art endures in our lives as your spirit does in our hearts.

I am deeply saddened to learn that Michael has passed away. He was my teacher for several months at the Village Art School and he was a wonderful person, someone I would have liked to be friends with. My deepest condolences to you all.

I am deeply saddened to learn of Michael Piazza’s passing. I knew him years ago as a collaborator with the Axe Street Arena, and only recently learned that he had continued his good work in Chicago in the years since I left. My activities in Chicago with Michael and his lovely wife Laura as a participant in the Axe Street Arena helped shape the way I see the world. My deepest condolences go out to his family and loved ones in this sad and difficult time.

Michael Piazza was a wonderful teacher and an inspiration to me. I was a student of his in 2004 at the school of the art insitute of chicago. I wish I had had the chance to tell him how much of an inspiration he was and what his class and teachings had meant to me. my heart goes out to his family and friends. i am honored to have been a student of michael piazza's.

TO ALL OF MICHAELS FAMILY



I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IT HAS BEEN MY HONOR TO TEACH WITH MICHAEL AT THE VILLAGE ART SCHOOL-- MICHAEL ALWAYS WORE A SMILE AND KNEW THE RIGHT THING TO SAY IN ALL SITUATIONS. HIS SINCERITY TOUCHED US ALL-- MICHAEL WILL TRULY BE MISSED



LINDA ZIMMERMAN

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. It made me reminisce about the old days...the after school arts program at Herzl School, teaching Franklin at Best Practice and watching him grow from a kid to a young man...Your family is in my thoughts. I wish you all the best.

My condolences to Michael's family and friends. I knew him back in Chicago in the early 80s at NAB and Axe street. He was a great guy and I loved his art. I had just heard some wonderful things about him at the CAA convention from Raoul Deal and some public-interest artists and was intending to contact him again this summer. God protect all of you who loved him.

I was fortunate to have taught with Michael for two summers in the summer in the arts program, and was enormously impressed by his respect for the students, and the strength and energy of his beliefs. He will be missed by all who worked with him.

Mike, we will miss you very much as a great neighbor and friend. I remember the devistating fire of the family house many years ago and the trouble you and the family endured getting it repaired. Once you moved back home and settled in, my grown foster child and girl had their baby that you and Laura began to babysit for. Wow, how the years fly by. During that time I began to learn about your talented work and, thru Laura, how much you were really into your art. You are really an artist of many talents, not just in art, but also a love for a great family and many friends. I'm sure that heaven will be much more decorated with a talented person as you are at God's home for all to enjoy. Mike, may God bless you well.

One of the last times I saw Michael was in a tent he'd set up inside the Cultural Center. He was camped out there to share one of his many projects -- the Stockyard Institute? -- with others during a festival. Michael intersected with so many of us, through his teaching and art practice, through his work with those at Audy Home, Little City, Whitewalls, AREA, and countless other groups and movements. A gentle, thoughtful, kind, creative and strong man -- Michael will be fondly remembered and sadly missed.

Dear Laura,



Our hearts go out to you and your children in this most painful time. Michael was such a warm and vibrant man that we cannot express our shock and sorrow upon learning of his death yesterday. All of you are remembered at Sabin with warm thoughts. Michael's presence and contributions to us will never be forgotten. On a personal note if there is anything that we can do for you please do not hesitate to let us know.

My deepest sympathies. He was a very nice and caring man.

We all touch each others lives in a special way. I met Michael at the Village Art School. Michael was my teacher. I so looked forward to my class. I will always remember Michael. He helped to set my life on a new path; my love of art. I feel like I have known him for a long time, not just a few short weeks. I used to say that Michael was like a walking encyclopedia, because he was so knowledgeable. I will miss him very much. My sympathy goes out to his family and friends during this very difficult time.

Dear Laura, Sam, and Franklin,

It was with great sadness that I learned of Michael's death from Anya. I remember you as a family with whom Anya loved to spend time. Fun memories of Sam and Franklin sleeping over at our house. I remember Michael as a warm, gentle man, much loved by students at Sabin and at Columbia College. He will be missed in so many ways. My heartfelt prayers for you all.



Warmest regards,

Ava

I had the pleasure of teaching on the same day as Michael for several years. I often rode home with him on the train after school. I rode home with him after a meeting just a few weeks ago and enjoyed his company as always. I was so surprised and saddened to hear of his loss. Michael’s presence, his intelligence and kindness will be greatly missed. My sincerest condolences to his family.

Dear Laura and children, Dorie, Jenny, Steve, Camille, friends and family of Mike Piazza,



Our thoughts are with you even though we are unable to be there to express our sorrow in person.



Jenny, you and I can recall the times playing with our brothers, both named MIKE --"Big Mike" (1954) and "Little Mike" (1955)-- in our backyards on 64th Court. The swingset where we all gathered with Kathy and Johnny who lived on the next street, and all the little kids who followed us around, playing school, rolling around on the sloped backyard, bike riding. We did have fun.



I will always remember "Little Mike". The way he tilted his head to listen. A sideways look with intense eyes and pursed lips. Concentrating. Thinking.



Your parents were wonderful to all of us. Very loving and dedicated to their family.



I miss all of you. You are very special in my memory.



Sincerely,

Patricia Meloy (Junkroski)

I am so sorry to hear about Michael. I worked with him on occasion at UIC and also helped write the state grant he was part of. His dedication and committment to his students will be missed. My sincere condolences to his family. It is a true loss.

Michael and Laura have been a second family to my mother and aunt.Their warmth projects onto all they meet. Just last month Michael framed some family heirlooms for my children,another warm gesture from a man with a big heart. He will be missed by many

but remembered by all he touched.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Michael. This may sound silly but he was my first love and I believe I was his. To this very day I have had a little brown ceramic bunny that he gave me for Easter when we were kids. I see it every morning when I wake up and evey morning he was in my thoughts. Kinda silly isn't it. He was a special guy then and here it is 35 years later and I still think of him. He used to hitch-hike to my home in the freezing cold to see me.

Now that was devotion. He painted me a picture of two sillouttes against the sunset. Maybe that was his first painting. I gave him a Salvador Dali book as a gift when we were kids. That was at that time his favorite artist. This is just a small glimpse of who he was as a teenager. From the other comments in the guest book, it seems that he was a wonderful person as an adult in many ways. It's a small world here I live all the way in Tucson, Arizona and I even met a girl who told me she was Dottie's best friend growing up. He was one that I never forgot. I guess they say you never forget your first love. After all these years I feel your pain and I hope you don't think of me as being silly or selfish sharing these memories. I hope you enjoy these memories and they brighten your day for a moment when you are feeling such a tragic loss in your life. My most heart felt sympathy go out to the family and may God bless you.

..Michael was a wonderful teacher and all around great person ...you will be deeply missed...

Please accept my deepest sympathies.

Mike Piazza was a great man, teacher, parent, husband, friend, and a great many more. I would like to give my condolences to his family.



It is unfortunate that we were unable to grow our friendship more, yet fortunatly his gift still grows.



While at the Skokie Art School, he not only taught me art, but would also share with me his latest projects, his knowledge of history, music, culture, science, and so on!



Now more than ever, Mike strongly reminds me of my late mother. Both shared great knowledge and both touched people either in person or not. The both of them would of been great friends!



Mike Piazza was a great figure, and always shall be a great figure. His influence and help continues to roll without an end like a circle.

Michael was there as a teacher, artist, friend, and human being par excellence for a lot of kids who just didn't have someone to serve as a model for them to emulate.

He was brilliant and humble, a seeming paradox. But indeed, one of God's great works of art he was.

Michael was always an inspiration and will be greatly missed by the Art and Education communities.

I was my privilage to work with Michael in the First Year Program, and to know his Art these many years. My sincerest condolences to his family. Many will miss his humor and insights.

We worked with Michael on occasion and our condolences to the friends and family: he made a great contribution to our commuity.

Warren Leming

Nelson Algren Committee

Our deepest sadness and wishes go out to your family. You all are in our hearts and prayers.

From a personal perspective, I can't emphasize how important it was for me to meet Michael and share so many wonderful moments with him along with Laura and the boys. Michael and Laura and the rest of Axe Street were like amazing art renegades to me, and it was so important to see that they had the same drive and community spirit in their everyday lives. Visiting their house felt like visiting the whole neighborhood.



For a while there, it felt like a perfect summer afternoon was hanging out with Michael and Laura in their backyard, chatting about neighborhoods, art, the latest crazy antics that the endless stream of kids in his house got into, and listening to the Clash.



Michael was always working on something and had this way of getting through to the stuff that's important. Laura, boys, and the Piazza family, my thoughts are with you. We'll all miss Michael.

Dear Laura,



Please accept our deepest sympathies in the loss of your beloved husband, Michael. The loss of someone so close is difficult to bear and please know we share your grief. May your memories of Michael bring you comfort.



Love,

Phyllis and Don Shipbaugh

On behalf of Mess Hall and Temporary Services, I'll repost this...



Michael was a pioneer in collaborative art practices. He had a huge impact on a Chicago-inflected way of working that made a lot of future work possible. We were deeply affected by his innovation and tireless efforts.



We are saddened by Michael's passing, but are grateful for the amazing work and writings that Michael has left behind. He was truly a Chicago artist--eloquent but diligent, fast-thinking and always moving. We will miss him.

Dear Laura & Family,



Please accept our sympathy in the loss of Michael. He was a wonderful and giving person and will be missed by so many people. Just try to remember, Michael is still with you and will always remain with you in your heart!! I am privileged and honored to have known him these past few years. He devoted so much time in helping the developmentally challenged and always gave from the heart. He will be missed but not forgotten. God had a plan for him and he is now in heaven educating and teaching all of god's chosen children, what he knew best "the arts".



With All our Love,

Phyllis & Don Shipbaugh

Our Hearts go out to the entire family.



The Piazza family are wonderful people and we wish you God's Blessings as you go through this vortex of emotions.





To the Children, we pray that God grants you the gifts of wisdom, grace and understanding. Our heart's ache with you.





God Bless all of you.

Mike was a wonderful artist and person. He will be missed

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. My prayers are with you and your love ones in this great moment of grief. We learn to Love you guys since Sabin Magnet School !

Perhaps heaven was in need of a craftsman. Michael was a wonderful teacher and artist. He was a lover of literature. He will be missed very much by all of whom he inspired.