Friedman, Julius,

died peacefully surrounded by friends and family, July 16th at Baptist Health Louisville. Julius Friedman is a hard man to pin down. As a graphic designer, photographer, artist, furniture designer and videographer, the man and his work defy easy description.

Julius' early work was posters for non-profit organizations: The Louisville Ballet "Toe On Egg"; "Fresh Paint" which shows stark, white eggs behind a row of red, yellow and blue yolks; and The Louisville Orchestra "French Horn Filled With Ice Cream". He recently had a fifty year retrospective of his posters at the Frazier Museum. After his poster phase ended, he turned to photographic imagery of trees, water, flowers and a ballet dancer. These images were later printed on metal and fabric. His last work was short videos that can be viewed on YouTube.

Julius was born and raised in Kentucky and received a degree in graphic design from University of Louisville. He is a recipient of the Kentucky Governor's Award in the Arts and his works are included in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., the National Museum of Poster Art in Warsaw, Poland, the Dansk Plakamuseum in Aahous, Denmark, the Brown-Forman Collection and the Marriott Hotel Corporation.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Baptist Health for providing such wonderful care.

Julius is survived by his sister, Carol Seifer (Sanford Abrams); his nieces, Caryn Steinert (Eric) and Melissa Cohen (Matthew); and his daughter, Kimberly Karp.

Funeral services will be 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 19th at Herman Meyer & Son, Inc., 1338 Ellison Avenue, with burial to follow in Adath Jeshurun Cemetery. Visitation will begin after 10:00 a.m. Expressions of sympathy may be made to The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Courier-Journal on Jul. 18, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Julius Friedman

Sponsored by The Courier-Journal.

18 Entries

Barry Royalty

July 12, 2025

Julius, although I knew you only briefly on this earthly plain, I want to thank you for your friendship and for your artwork that graces my home and brings me joy every day. We talked about how nice it would be to regularly experience "childlike wonder" as adults, and I hope that is what you're experiencing now.

Barry Royalty

July 13, 2022

I'm thinking about you, Julius. Thank you for your beautiful art and for your friendship.

Angela Quamina

January 19, 2019

I just found out of Julius Friedman's passing today. 1/18/19.
Here's my story... I had a copy of Julius' poster "Fresh Paint" that I bought from K-Mart back in the early eighties while I was studying Art History at Morgan State University here in Baltimore, Maryland. I LOVED that poster but over the years I moved several times and I don't know what ever became of that poster. Then one day in around 2013 maybe, my nephew reminded me of that poster and I began an internet search for the artist and name of the poster (I had forgotten after so many years). Well, I found both the artist name AND the name of the poster...the contact was a public radio station I believe it was KET and I called them. The kind woman who answered gave me Julius' contact information and I wrote to him via email I believe and I told him the same story that I've shared here. I asked him if he would sell me a copy of both the "Fresh Paint" which I loved and brought back so many wonderful memories for me and the beautiful Ballet Slipper "Toe on Egg" and he did. So now, I am proud and honored to be the owner of signed copies of two of Mr. Friedman's most iconic world renowned pieces of work! Thank you and may you forever rest in peace Julius.
Sincerely,
Angela~

Brad Keller

August 22, 2017

I just learned of Julius' passing and he will remain in my thoughts and prayers as a visionary artist and dynamic pioneer for Louisville.
B. Keller

FRED DE SANTO

August 3, 2017

JULIUS CAME INTO MY LIFE WHILE CONSULTING WITH JASPER WARD ARCHITECTS. HE AND NATHAN FELDEY HAD A SMALL OFFICE ON THE LOWER FLOOR OF THE GALT HOUSE.
WE BECAME FAST FRIENDS AND ALONG WITH OTHER ARTIST AT THAT TIME FORMED A MOMENT THAT EXPLODED THE CREATIVE ABILITIES OF ALL OF THIS CORE GROUP. WE STARTED 'THE FREESBIE DOME' ON WASHINGTON STREET EVERY FRIDAY AFTERNOON THAT WOULD SPILL INTO THE JAZZ CLUB OF EDDIE AND DELORES DONALDSON AND BEYOND. THOSE TIMES SPARKED THE ART THAT LIVES IN THE COMMUNITY AND MUSEUMS. WE ALL LOVED AND RESPECTED EACH OTHER, WE ALL TURNED ON AND TURNED OUT GREAT ART AND ARCHITECTURE. WE ALL WILL MISS JULIUS, AND THOSE OF US THAT ARE STILL SPEWING IMAGES ACROSS THE WORLD WILL HAVE JULUIS IN ARE HEARTS AND MINDS. JULIUS HAS LEFT THE PLANET. LONG LIVE THE JULIUS.

FRED DE SANTO-ARCHITECT/ARTIST
FRED DE SANTO-ARCHITECT/ARTIST

Barry Royalty

July 24, 2017

I met him only twice but he made me feel like we were lifelong friends. I will cherish the posters he signed for me and his kindness for the rest of my life. Thank you, Julius.

Catherine Miller Lowe

July 22, 2017

Sending healing thoughts and prayers for the family. I will always remember you Julius. I especially remember 10th Grade TV English with Julius sitting behind me and sometimes pulling my hair. A Seneca HS '61 Classmate, Cathy Miller Lowe

Rita Butler

July 20, 2017

He was not only a very good artist, but a kind and helpful person as well.

Tony Zena

July 20, 2017

Was an honer to have known you. Tony Zena

Harvey Detroy

July 18, 2017

Goodbye old friend! RIP
Larry Detroy, Harvey Detroy and Julius Freidman

Harvey

Harvey Detroy

July 18, 2017

Goodbye old friend!
Harvey Detroy

July 17, 2017

Donna Allen Gisiger You know that Julius was very special indeed when the Courier Journal Newspaper says the Guest Book will be left permanently available . That in itself is remarkable to me . Grateful for my 2 publications I have of his posters and especially his latest The Book . Such God given talent is just amazing . You touched so many thru your work . Our Seneca High Class of 1961 is losing too many friends. Rest in Peace Julius .

Marsha Crump-Serdenis

July 17, 2017

The Seneca High School, Louisville, KY, Class of 1961 has wonderful memories of Julius especially from our 50th and 55th Reunion. Always in our memory.