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The Print Center Honors the Memory of
Blake Bradford
Blake Bradford at The Print Center's Centennial Gala with Mary MacGregor Mather
and Peter Paone, 2015. Photo: Kelly and Massa
Earlier this fall, The Print Center lost Blake Bradford, who was an important member of our community. We are deeply saddened by the loss of this wonderful friend, colleague and brilliant thinker. We will cherish the time we had with Blake, and appreciate the wise counsel he so freely offered. We hold him, and his family, in our hearts.
Blake was involved with The Print Center for a great many years. He joined our Program Committee in 2010 and our Board of Governors in 2013, serving as the Secretary of the Board from 2014 until his passing. During these years it was a pleasure to have him introduce the next generation of art lovers to The Print Center – frequent visits with his twins Star and Cyrus were always high points for us!
Blake was involved with The Print Center for a great many years. He joined our Program Committee in 2010 and our Board of Governors in 2013, serving as the Secretary of the Board from 2014 until his passing. During these years it was a pleasure to have him introduce the next generation of art lovers to The Print Center – frequent visits with his twins Star and Cyrus were always high points for us!
Blake with (standing, left to right) Elizabeth Spungen, Aaron Goldblatt, Robert Morrison, Hester Stinnett;
(seated, left to right) Ellen Owens, Jeffrey Cooper and Julie Randolph at a Board celebration in 2018.
His careful, analytical approach to committee and Board endeavors provided a strong and stable base on which we built everything from exhibitions to policies. We were inspired by his unwavering dedication to arts advocacy, to educating new generations of students and to writing with elegance, grace and thoughtful insight on a wide variety of topics, with special expertise on Black artists. Blake was an exceptional colleague to many – whom he delighted in connecting with each other. Whether it was across museums in Philadelphia – or across disciplines (especially with those in the music world) or with curators and artists in Chicago – he regularly expanded our circle, and with it the impact of The Print Center’s work.
We hope to honor Blake’s contributions to The Print Center in a meaningful way. His insights and suggestions regarding diversity, equity and inclusion were especially significant. He helped conceive a Paid Internship for BIPOC students, which was initiated last summer.
To mark his legacy and interest in developing professional training in the arts for those who may not otherwise have the opportunity, we have named the initiative the Bradford Paid Internship Program.
We hope to honor Blake’s contributions to The Print Center in a meaningful way. His insights and suggestions regarding diversity, equity and inclusion were especially significant. He helped conceive a Paid Internship for BIPOC students, which was initiated last summer.
To mark his legacy and interest in developing professional training in the arts for those who may not otherwise have the opportunity, we have named the initiative the Bradford Paid Internship Program.
Blake with Doug Bohr at The Print Center in 2017. Photo: Tim Tiebout
The Bradford Paid Internship Program creates a supportive pathway for BIPOC students to explore and advance in the arts. It is designed to foster intentional training and professional development for undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in pursuing a career in the arts and are from backgrounds currently under-represented in our field. The Intern will receive structured training in various facets of nonprofit arts operations and professional practices. Recipients of the Internship will be told about Blake – his work and his dedication to creating opportunities for BIPOC students. It will be a springboard for all of the students selected and will set them on the path to successful careers. His memory will inspire their career development.
Blake said, "My work is grounded in generosity." We know that his whole life was grounded in generosity, and we remain grateful to have shared in his time, energy and spirit.
We thank Blake's family for naming The Print Center as a suggested
beneficiary for memorial contributions in his honor.
You can make a contribution in Blake's memory here,
or contribute to the Bradford Paid Internship Program here.
A celebration of Blake’s life will be held in the spring of 2023.
Read more about Blake in his obituary here.
Blake said, "My work is grounded in generosity." We know that his whole life was grounded in generosity, and we remain grateful to have shared in his time, energy and spirit.
We thank Blake's family for naming The Print Center as a suggested
beneficiary for memorial contributions in his honor.
You can make a contribution in Blake's memory here,
or contribute to the Bradford Paid Internship Program here.
A celebration of Blake’s life will be held in the spring of 2023.
Read more about Blake in his obituary here.
Blake and Cyrus at The Print Center in 2017. Photo: Tim Tiebout
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