[Staff-l] Leigh Markopoulos

Dear CCA Community,

It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that Leigh Markopoulos, chair of our Curatorial Practice Program, died today in Los Angeles from injuries sustained in a car accident. Family members as well as members of the CCA community were at her side.

Leigh was a brilliant scholar, writer, and curator and dearly loved by her students and colleagues. She thrived at CCA and was truly the heart and soul of our Curatorial Practice Program, helping to launch the careers of many young curators.

Leigh came to CCA in 2002 from the Serpentine Gallery in London, where she served as exhibition organizer. She was deputy director of the CCA Wattis Institute from 2002 to 2005, and taught in the CURP program beginning in 2003. After two years as director of the Rena Bransten Gallery in San Francisco, Leigh returned to CCA to become chair of the CURP program in 2008.

She was a regular contributor to Art Practical and other arts publications, and the author and editor of several catalogs on the work of contemporary artists.

This is a devastating and heartbreaking loss. On behalf of the college I extend my condolences to her parents, family members, and many friends and colleagues.

A grief counselor will hold a session on Wednesday, March 1 from 12 to 2 p.m. in the new presentation space on the San Francisco campus. All members of the CCA community are welcome to attend.

Our students may need support during this time. Professional, confidential counseling is available free of charge to all students. To make a counseling referral, please contact Student Affairs in Oakland at 510.594.3666 or in San Francisco at 415.703.9570.

Support services for staff and faculty are available through our Employee Assistance Program. Contact Claremont at 800.834.3773 or www.claremonteap.com.

At this time her family has not made arrangements for a service, but we will keep you apprised. We intend to find an appropriate way to honor Leigh and her lasting contributions. Leigh’s passion and dedication to her profession and commitment to her students will be a cherished memory of her legacy.

Sincerely,

Stephen Beal

President

California College of the Arts

5212 Broadway

Oakland, CA 94618

and

1111-Eighth Street

San Francisco, CA 94107

Email: sbeal@cca.edu

Telephone: 510-594-3630

Fax: 510-594-3797