Remembering Liz Goins

| Contributions from her Over the Mountain Studio Tour Friends |

Our friend and fellow OTMST member Liz Goins passed away in August.  We’ve lost a talented artist and a wonderful human being.  It is impossible to sum up her impact on our group and in our lives in a brief post, so this is a longer one.  Here, crafted from memories of friends, we remember her. 

Her work.  Liz loved anything made of or on paper.  She made paper, she printed on paper.  She made books in various sizes using different types of binding techniques.  She made objects - birdhouses, cakes and merry-go-rounds - even a full-sized wedding dress from the pages of old books.  She loved the design of “vintage” printed books.  Her specialty was scherenschnitte, (the art of paper cutting design).  Her latest love was eco printing on natural fabrics and paper.  Combined with various found objects she made beautiful wall hangings.  When she showed you her latest work, it was like she was giving you a guided tour.

Her personality.  So many words describer her!  Generous, spirited, helpful, amazingly creative, gifted, dynamic, wise, caring, vibrant, inspiring, big-hearted.

How she touched us.  Liz showed an artistic bravery [I] admired.  She was a mentor and natural teacher.  Liz moved us forward, encouraged us to experiment with our ideas.  She taught us new techniques, made suggestions and offered honest opinions especially when she thought the work could be better.  She helped us find time for our art despite life’s demands.  In all aspects of our lives, Liz made us feel comfortable, accepted and important.  She gave us undivided attention and valued what we had to say.  She made us laugh; even the most serious person couldn’t help loosening up with Liz.  She welcomed us and made us feel we were special to her.  She opened her home and studio to us, loaned cherished books, shared her plants, gave away art supplies and helped us with life’s projects.

How she touched her community.  Liz always found ways to bring people together and knew how to get things done!  She invited Philadelphia mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar to Charles Town to create a community mural.  Located at the corner of W. Washington and N. Charles streets, the 75-foot mural was created by hundreds of volunteers in 5 days.  Liz conceived of the idea and it never would have happened without her.  She advocated for a gift shop for the Jefferson County Museum, organized events and found speakers for public discussions at the Charles Town Library.  She also hosted small gatherings for art discussions in her home.  She taught classes and workshops in her West Virginia and Florida communities.

How she touched the Studio Tour.  As a leader for our outreach efforts, Liz brought new ideas to promote the tour beyond Jefferson County.  During farmer’s market season, Liz made sure there was a booth for OTMST at the Charles Town and Shepherdstown markets and she was always ready and eager to talk about the tour!  She distributed posters and rack cards.  Every October she arranged for our work to appear in the display cases in the entrance to the Charles Town Library.  She took care to make sure names and tour stops were displayed so that we all received attention.  If you’d ever been to her stop on tour weekend, it was always buzzing with activities to delight and engage visitors.

Thoughts about her passing.  Liz’s passing certainly has us all missing her.  We are reminded to appreciate the wealth of talent we have in the OTMST group of artisans.  Her passion, vibrance and ceaseless energy for art and life gave so much to the studio tour, her family, friends and communities.  She enriched everything she engaged with.  Liz created to create and learn; it was her way of filling her cup and that of everyone else.  We won’t be the same without her, but her legacy lives on in our hearts with many wonderful memories.  She had a special light within her that will keep on shining.  Liz, we are thinking of you, where you are in a very sacred place in our universe.