Ruth Stevens Appelhof
1940-2020
Ruth Appelhof, Executive Director Emerita of Guild Hall, East Hampton’s cultural center, died of leukemia on Thursday. We wish to extend our sincere condolences to her beloved husband, Gary Amadek, and her family.
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For two years, from 2017-19, we were privileged to work closely with Ruth while, as a Pollock-Krasner Foundation Research Fellow at the Pollock-Kranser House and Study Center, she researched and wrote her forthcoming book, Lee and Me: An Intimate Portrait of Lee Krasner. Its publication coincides with a major retrospective exhibition of Krasner’s work, now on view at the Zentrum Paul Klee in Bern, Switzerland.
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Ruth Appelhof at the Pollock-Krasner House, with Igor Pantuhoff’s 1932 portrait of Lee Krasner. Photo: Durell Godfrey.
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The book, a combination memoir and character study, is based on interviews Ruth conducted in the summer of 1974, when she lived with the artist in the Pollock-Krasner House. Returning more than 40 years later, she fleshed out her memories with extensive original research and interviews with many of Krasner’s friends and neighbors. She was to have discussed her work as our featured speaker at this summer’s Annual John H. Marburger III Memorial Lecture at Guild Hall, where a memorial tribute is being planned.
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Ruth’s warm, outgoing personality, infectious enthusiasm, and perseverance in the face of daunting health challenges were inspiring. We are proud to have shared her journey to the completion of Lee and Me.
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Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center
830 Springs-Fireplace Road, East Hampton, New York
A National Historic Landmark
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