In Memoriam LEADERS & FRIENDS OF CTAC
Judith Koza CTAC Founding Member
Dr. Bill Millar Former Chairman of the Board of Directors and Volunteer Extraordinaire April 21, 1936 - March 4, 2024 Dr. Bill Millar, former Chairman of CTAC’s Board of Directors, passed away in March 2024. Bill, along with his wife Jane, were major contributors to the success of Crooked Tree Arts Center. Leading through example, Bill closely engaged with and supported many CTAC programs, including our performing arts series, visual art exhibitions, CTAC School of Ballet, and so much more. We will miss his love for jazz, his visits to the office after clay classes, and his commitment to the arts. Bill was not just a supporter; he was a beloved member of our community and a dear friend to all at CTAC. “I met my good friend Bill Millar on one of my earliest days working at Crooked Tree Arts Center. During our first meeting, Bill proudly informed me that it had been his job to hang the art in the CTAC galleries for many years and that he would show me the best way to measure and install a show. To make it even more memorable, the organization’s president at the time was also named Liz, so Bill quickly adopted a new name for me, to avoid any confusion. I became ‘Little Liz.’ Inviting Bill Millar to help hang an exhibition was just the beginning for the new me – ‘Little Liz’. But it didn’t stop there. For nearly six years, Bill has been my right- hand man in the galleries. He always showed up with his own tools, complete with plumb bob and bluetooth speaker. Bill was our official DJ, and jazz was always his go-to. As we worked, Bill would share his favorite recordings with me while recounting personal stories from his long, full, and rich life. Bill took great pride in his role here, and he personified the most beautiful and important parts of Crooked Tree Arts Center. He lived a long, impactful life, and I’m so grateful he shared some of it with us. He will be greatly missed.” - Liz ‘Little Liz’ Erlewine, CTAC Visual Arts Director BELOW: Bill Millar, Liz Erlewine, and Rob Harold (left to right)
June 5, 1938 - October 23, 2023 This past October, Judith (Judie) Koza, the last living founding member of Crooked Tree Arts Center, passed away. In 1971, arts advocates Sally Clark, Edith Gilbert, Grace Jessop, eddi Offield, Jack Perry, Carolyn Rader, and Judie Koza met at the Petoskey Public Library and established a community organization for the arts. Judie, and the rest of the founding members, developed the foundation of CTAC and worked hard to bring their vision to life. Their strategy, dedication, and love for providing arts opportunities for those in Northern Michigan made CTAC what it is today. Judie’s husband, Ed, was a founding member of the Little Traverse Conservancy and passed away in December 2022. Ed and Judie had active lives in their communities of Chicago and Northern Michigan, always looking for ways to further contribute to the growth and strength of our region while connecting people along the way. “One of the gifts of small-town living is seeing people in different ways in the community. I first met Judie in Crooked Tree Arts Center’s early years when I won an award in a photo contest. Her talents were many and she used them well. Her grandchildren and our boys were the same ages and I marveled at the sweaters Judie knitted for the girls. Listening to her play the recorder in Bay View was a moment when I realized that artistic gifts can come to one person in many ways. Her smile
Judith and Ed Koza (image courtesy of Little Traverse Conservancy)
was huge and she knew everyone by name. What a lucky woman to have made such an impact on others — most of us don’t leave this earth having done that.” - Kathryn Breighner BELOW: The CTAC Committee at the organization’s 1972 luau supporting membership registration. Judith Koza is seated on the top row, far right.
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