Nancy Witt Mulick

1946 - 2020

Nancy Witt Mulick

Nancy Witt Mulick passed away peacefully on Dec. 24, 2020.

"I paint flowers so they will not die." - Frida Kahlo

When someone first thinks of Nancy Witt Mulick its likely that they think, "This woman has touched so many lives." A Cumberland County native, Nancy was born in Millville, NJ, on October 5, 1946. Nancy spent most of her wonderful life in both Columbus, Ohio, and in Millville, N.J. During her time in Columbus, Nancy was the long-time Chair of the Art Department and an Artist-in-Residence at The Wellington School in Columbus for 27 years, retiring in 2011. At the Wellington School she leaves a legacy of inspiring countless students and staff with her passion for art and creativity. She taught classes at the Rhode Island School of Design and The Gordon School when she lived in Rhode Island.

A lifelong creative force who worked in ceramic, paper, oil, gouache, and a variety of other media, in her role as Director of Special Programs at The Barn Studio Art, Nancy founded the Maurice River School of Art Workshop in July 2009. Since its inception, the annual workshop has evolved into the region's premier gathering of artists for a week each summer, culminating in an annual show at The Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts. Her guiding vision was to bring landscape artists from throughout the U.S. and overseas to her native South Jersey, with a special emphasis on the Maurice River and its environs, including the Delaware Bayshore. Nancy also envisioned providing the highest caliber of instruction, engaging many master artists from The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts as workshop instructors.

A graduate of Millville High School class of 1965, she was a member of the Debs Tri-Hi-Y Club and has remained close friends with its members for more than 60 years. Nancy holds a BA from Douglass College in Art History, an MEd from The University of Vermont and an MFA from the University of Massachusetts. Most notably, she studied with Donald Judd, Sydney Janis and Hui Kai Kwong at Douglass and studied Anatomy at The Boston Museum School with Tim Nichols and Ceramics with Jun Kaneko in Omaha, NE.

Her work is in collections in the United States, Europe, and Japan. Permanent collections containing her work include The White House, The Dard Hunter Paper Museum and The Ossabaw Island Collection.

How does one sum up a life well lived in so few words? You do not, but you do remember what made Nancy so special. Nancy brought her intelligence, wit, easy laugh, and passion for life to all she encountered. She loved adventurous travels, calling her son her dog Jacks name, spending time with her close friends, and surrounding herself with life, love, and as many beads as she could find. She left an indelible mark on all and leaves a legacy of art, life, love, and laughter.

Nancy Mulick beloved by her family and friends, is survived by her Husband, Professor James Mulick, her son, Garek Mulick, her sister, Carole Witt Mankin and brother-in-law Gary Mankin of Alexandria, VA, her brother Jason Witt and family of Corydon, Indiana, and her mother, Patricia Witt of Millville, New Jersey. She also lives in the memories of countless students, and her legacy lives in their many creative achievements.

I find myself wondering what would have made Nancy the happiest, I think she would have asked us to be happy, to remember her fondly, and believe that she had a long life well lived.

A memorial fund to underwrite scholarships for classes for deserving teens at The Barn has been established to honor Nancy's lifelong dedication to youth and the arts. Donations may be made online at www.barnstudio.org, or checks mailed to The Barn Studio of Art, 814 Whitaker Avenue, Millville, NJ 08332-0029. Please indicate "Nancy Witt Mulick Memorial Fund."

A celebration of Nancy's life is planned for June 5, 2021 at The Barn Studio of Art.