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Jan Brooks Obituary
Jan Brooks, smart, funny, talented, and complex, died of lung cancer on Sept. 12. Her multitude of friends will savor her memory and miss her generous spirit, sharp wit, big laugh, curiosity, and energy.
Born in Quanah, Texas, Jan grew up in Denton, TX, where her family ran Brooks Dairy. Beginning in 1968, with an interest in music and then metalwork, Brooks attended several colleges and universities. Studying blacksmithing, Brooks earned a BA in 1972 and an MFA in 1974. From 1974 to 1977, Brooks taught metalsmithing at SIU Carbondale before moving to North Carolina, where she worked as an assistant professor of Creative Arts and gallery director at UNC Charlotte. Throughout the 1970s and '80s, Jan exhibited her work in over 200 shows, including the 1982 exhibition Towards a New Iron Age at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Her work is in both public and private collections. Brooks focused on commissions and public art projects and became involved in the nonprofit sector. She served on many boards, panels, and juries. She was vice president of the American Craft Council in the late 1980s and received an NEA grant in 1990. In the early 1990s, she did graduate work at Duke University, researching the post-WWII development of the studio craft movement in American universities.
In 1995, Brooks moved to Santa Fe, NM, and married longtime friend Lane Coulter in 2000. The couple ran Coulter Brooks Art & Antiques, specializing in Southwestern arts. She also worked in organized philanthropy and the nonprofit sector, serving as executive director of Northern NM Grantmakers for six years. She had far ranging interests and was passionate and active about local and national politics and public policy.
She was a dedicated guitar player with a soulful, disarming voice. She loved music, food, art, and animals, and was partial to Scottish Terriers.
She is survived by her husband, Lane Coulter; his daughter, Amelia; grandson, Felix; her brother, Rob Brooks; his wife, Mary; Rob's children, Dean, Joanna, and Matt; and their families.
A memorial will be held on October 15 at 2 PM at the Meem Auditorium on Museum Hill in Santa Fe. Address cards to Lane Coulter, The Montecito, 450 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the New Mexico School for the Arts, New Energy Economy, or Street Homeless Animal Project.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jan Brooks
Mark Thoman
August 10, 2025
I met Jan during summer school at the University of Texas at El Paso. She would play guitar and sing at a club called the Establishment. I remember her talking about wanting to get into metal working. She was a sweet, pretty, smart and determined young woman. But I was a colossal mess at the time and did fully appreciate what a precious person she was.
Rob Brooks
January 29, 2025
Much love to you sister Jan! Hope you´re at peace!
Rob
Matt Brooks
January 28, 2025
Happy Birthday, AJ. We love and miss you every day.
Friends of Jan
October 15, 2024
All the friends in Nc sending love to Everyone at Jan´s Memorial today , sending a special package tomorrow Lane , She touched all of us in so many ways. Xo
many ways ,
Matt Brooks
October 13, 2024
Jan wasn´t just my aunt, she was one of my closest friends and strongest allies on the planet, bar none. From my earliest memories as a young child, she seemed to have an almost supernatural ability to know and understand me in a way that no one else could. And while it would be easy to go on at length describing the many ways that Jan impacted my life, I think the most notable of all, without question, would have to be her role in having inspired a lifelong passion for playing guitar and writing original music that has spanned almost four decades now, including membership in numerous rock and heavy metal bands, one album release under the belt, and another currently in progress and on the way soon.
Jan may no longer be with us in physical form, but I like the think that on whatever plane her energy now resides, she´s enjoying the rewards of a life well lived...and befitting of the wise old soul and sage she truly was.
Until we meet again, AJ, I love you.
Frances Whitehead
October 12, 2024
We remember Jan for the breadth of her interests, the capacity of her intellect, and the depth of her compassion, humanity, and good cheer.
From 2011 to 2021 Jan and I had a "long distance relationship", started when I lived in Chicago and she in Santa Fe. Our dialogue consisted of periodic, raucus, marathon phone discussion, 3-4 hours long, on topics from urban ag to complexity science... always about art + life.
When Jim and I moved to Santa Fe in 2021, Jan and I finally met face to face. Over the last three years, we have had the good fortune and great pleasure to know Jan and Lane in person and I have learned more about her amazing knowledge, love, and involvement with the Santa Fe culture.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Lane, Amelia, and the whole family.
Jan is sorely missed.
Joanna
October 11, 2024
Dad and Aunt Jan; and Aunt Jan, my beloved Aunt. The photos speak for themselves:)
Lisa Norton
October 10, 2024
They did break the mold when they made Jan. She was so uniquely herself - and she would have roared with laughter at this observation!
As a mentor and friend, Jan taught me so much through her grounded curiosity and passion for people and for life. She generously dedicated her energies and intellect to everything she cared about. Story was her art. My heart goes out to Lane, Amelia and the entire family.
Jeannine Falino
October 10, 2024
Jan was a very dear friend, advisor, networker, and firecracker. She never held her punches and I valued her for it. My heart goes out to her husband Lane and others in her family - she was one of a kind - and I feel privileged to have known her.
Dean Brooks
October 6, 2024
Dean Brooks
October 6, 2024
Jan was my beloved aunt and one of my closest family members. We shared so much in common, particularly our social and political views. She was one my biggest influences growing up and encouraged my artistic and creative potential more than anyone. Although I ultimately didn´t pursue art or politics as a career as she always suggested to me, her passion for both influenced my life in countless ways. We shared a love of music, culture, food and so much more.
I always loved the way that she intently listened and engaged when we talked. I knew Jan was truly present, absorbing every detail of my words and trying to extract every drop of information she could from our deep and meaningful exchanges. She was fascinated with me, my wife, my children and every detail of my life. I will never forget her hearty, sincere laughter or her intense passion for everything she cared about. She put me on a pedestal that I didn´t always believe I deserved, but she brought out the best in me.
Jan pulled no punches, never hesitating to set me straight if I strayed from our shared values. I was never unclear about where she stood on important issues, and I felt that she was almost always right. We spent hours on end diving deep into family history, good and bad, and she was painfully honest about who we both were and where we came from.
Along with everything else, we shared a lack of brevity in our communication. With that, I will stop and save some of my thoughts as the memories and feelings flow from my heart like "liquid" (an inside joke that a few will appreciate). I love you aunt Jan. Thank you for your love and inspiration.
Rob Brooks
October 4, 2024
My sister Jan and only sibling inherited her wonderful artistic talent from our mother. We were 7 years apart in age but I always loved her sense of humor and admired her social activism even if I didn´t agree with all of it. The attached picture is one of my favorites when Jan was 4 years old 70 years ago. She´ll be missed by many friends, family members and associates!
Daniel Geary
October 4, 2024
my condolences to the family. She was a sweet and super smart and interesting force in the Santa Fe art scene.
Donald Emery
October 4, 2024
To quote Bruce Springfield, "when they made her, they broke the mold". One of a kind. So lucky to be her friend.
Kelly & Everyone at Wilson Transfer
October 3, 2024
Our condolences to Lane and Jan's family and friends.
She was a customer of our for many years, all of them a pleasure!
May beautiful memories surround you as you mourn.
Dean Brooks
October 3, 2024
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