Libby Newman, 100, of Philadelphia, celebrated artist, popular curator, energetic arts activist, and mentor, died Tuesday, Aug. 8, of frailty syndrome at her home.
A prolific creator of more than 1,000 pieces in textiles, paints, woodcuts, and other material, Ms. Newman’s work resides permanently in more than 30 museums and libraries around the world. Her art can be seen in galleries, schools, theaters, businesses, public places, and homes around the United States and across Europe, South America, China, Africa, Japan, and the Middle East.
She showed locally at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, University City Science Center, Brandywine Workshop and Archives, and many other venues. She had lived since 1991 in the very shadow of the Art Museum.
Ms. Newman championed the infusion of art into all facets of society and told The Inquirer in 2001: “If you could make people more inquisitive and enrich their lives, then I feel as if you did a noble thing.”
