Mary Ruth Moore Death, Obituary – Mary Ruth Moore, a much-loved Professor Emerita of Photography, died away recently, and it is with a heavy heart that we have to break the news to you. Senior Lecturer Ben Reynolds, a personal friend and former colleague, described Mary Ruth as “unpretentiously and purely an artist.” She is known as a very enthusiastic lighthouse who centred encouragement in the studio and classroom to assist pupils home in on their talents. She is credited with having a profoundly positive impact on the lives of her students.
At her retirement party, solo exhibition reception, and commemorative scholarship dedication that took place at the Lamar Dodd School of Art in 2017, Professor Michael Marshall stated, “For those of you who have studied with Mary, you already know the thrill of being in the classroom with her. She approaches the topic of the materiality of light with awe and reverence. Because her awareness is so acute, I’ve heard it said that she can even avoid walking into a beam of sunshine.
What are some of the most treasured memories you have of Mary Ruth? We hope that you will get in touch with us.
On July 7, there will be a memorial service held in Mary Ruth’s honour to celebrate her life. Following Professor Emerita Mary Ruth Moore’s retirement in 2017 from the Lamar Dodd School of Art, where she had a distinguished career spanning more than four decades, the Mary Ruth Moore Reciprocity Award Fund was established the following year.
The Mary Ruth Moore Award was established to foster the creative spark of photography students at the Lamar Dodd School of Art who are pursuing a unique project, as Mary Ruth had consistently done so during her tenure at the School.
The award was announced alongside a solo exhibition that marked her life’s work and a jovial retirement gathering. Both events were held in honour of Mary Ruth’s retirement.