I'm Going to Miss Ben Apfelbaum

Ben died today.  Its a huge loss for Atlanta arts.

He was really someone special.

Comments

[Karin]

Ben Apfelbaum will be dearly missed by many artists and friends through out Atlanta. He was personally a mentor and allowed me the opportunity to learn about putting on artists markets and festivals on the grounds of The Spruill Gallery. With out his kindness and support, I would not have had many of the art experiences I have had since moving to Atlanta. He has always very much supported artists regardless of their experience and given his time and support to those who were seeking a path in the arts. Ben was truly a rare piece of art himself and will remain on permanent exhibit in the hearts of many. All my love to you Ben.

[la.dauphine]

At the reception the other night the word that kept coming up was VOID. How are we going to fill the Void left by him? Not only was he such a wonderful human being, but he did so much for artists and the community.

[jeff]

The first time I met Ben I realized I was dealing with a person who would shoot you the truth. He did not hold back. I believe Ben saw the need for honesty. I believe he reacted from his heart and from feeling. He maintained this while working with and through a scene I can only imagine. I enjoyed the edge to his wit and felt the razor of it a time or two. I believe Atlanta has lost an important and true rarity in losing Ben. He called it like he saw it with an amazing sense of self. He was a reminder. A mirror. A wry smile with an eloquent observation. A voice I will always hear in my head. He set a high watermark for me and hopefully for Atlanta as well.

[John Randolph Naugle]

Loved your comments on Ben! I'll be missing him very much too. Please feel free to send me photos of Ben and I'll post them on his Virtual Memorial (with your photo credit). Also, please "Light A Candle" or make a Tribute. Just go to: http://mr-ben-apfelbaum.memory-of.com Please forward to all friends and list serves too.
Thanks,
Johnny

[Dawn Reid-Reiner]

Ben, when I think of Ben I can only see him with a big wonderful smile. I spent a winter living with Ben in Lake Placid New York. We were ran restaurant at the games in 1980. We had some wonderful times. It was an extremely cold winter. Ben wore a long fur coat nearly to the ground. He took me out & bought us each a pair of electric socks. At the end of the day we would all go home & Ben would still find the time to cook up something wonderful for us. A few years later he opened a Tex-Mex restaurant in Montreal Quebec & lived with us again on our farm while working on it. I remember going to his grand opening there were many famous people there it was a funky place with all the talent of an Artist Chef/owner. I remember how that day I felt. I was young and disapointed to find out that I was not the only one he loved. Everyone there loved Ben & he was treating all his guests with a special love of their own. Ben always made us feel the most important. I will always love him for that. # weeks ago I invited him for Christmas, he declined, he said he had to work on the 23rd of Dec. but promised me that we would see each other again someday. I know in my heart I will see him again.

Dawn