Often mentioned as one of the most important people in the UNM and New Mexico arts communities, Clinton Adams, former dean of the College of Fine Arts, died last month of cancer.
Adams, whose works are exhibited in world-famous galleries from Boston to Los Angeles, was termed the "dean of deans" by John Petrovich, former UNM president.
During his time at UNM, Adams made significant contributions to the College of Fine Arts, the Tamarind Institute and the local arts community
"He created nationally prominent departments through students and faculty," said Peter Walsh, professor emeritus at the College of Fine Arts and a close colleague of Adams. "He had impacts locally and nationally."
College of Fine Arts Dean Christopher Mead said Adams was "without a doubt one of the most instrumental deans in the development of the College of Fine Arts." As dean of the college, Adams facilitated the separation of the School of Architecture from the College of Fine Arts to allow each unit to function separately. The move was a long-term one with both colleges still maintaining their independence today.
During his tenure as dean, Adams taught painting, art history and lithography.
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"He was very tough and notoriously stingy for giving out inflated grades," Walsh said.
Adams also was the director, until his retirement in 1985, of the Tamarind Lithography Workshop, Inc., an independent arts organization which was founded in Los Angeles in 1960, with the purpose of reviving the art of lithography in the United States and abroad.
The workshop moved to Albuquerque in 1970 where it became the Tamarind Institute, a division of the College of Fine Arts. Adams played a key role in negotiating the arrangement with the UNM president.
Today, the Tamarind trains master printers and commissions artists to create lithographs the institute then prints and distributes.
Adams was a major contributor to the "The Tamarind Book of Lithography: Art and Techniques," which has helped bring the art of lithography to the attention of those around the world. The book is considered the most popular guide to printmaking and printmaking techniques in the world.
After his death, Adams' wife, Mary, received dozens of letters from former students and colleagues.
"He encouraged and mentored me," wrote Deborah Remington, a former student of Adams who is now a distinguished painter in New York.
Former student and current museum director in Los Angeles, Martin Friedman wrote, "I am grateful for his tutelage and support."
The Adams family was very close and would do many things together including multiple hiking, camping and river rafting trips.
"He taught me there is more to seeing than just looking at things," Adams' son Michael said.
"He loved art and the world, which is why his son loves it so much," Mary said.
