Dear Members of the Corcoran Community:
It is with deep regret that I must inform you that Greg Vita, a beloved 2015 alumnus of the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design, passed away on July 24. Greg excelled in many artistic endeavors and received numerous accolades for his work. He found a unique niche in papermaking and mastered that craft as a business owner, and later as a teacher and resident artist at the Pyramid Atlantic Art Center in Hyattsville, Maryland.
Corcoran Professor Georgia Deal said “Greg Vita was such an important part of our Corcoran family, and embodied much of what we as faculty hoped our graduating students would leave with: a strong practice and genuine curiosity. From his four years in the BFA program and his work in the Printmaking department, Greg was devoted to building community and camaraderie with his fellow students through not only his bright talent, but more importantly his big and generous heart. He had an impressive work ethic, and was constantly in the studios In countless critiques, I would hear students speak about learning this or that technique with Greg’s help, and he always seemed at his happiest when working with his peers, collaborating and sharing ideas.”
We recognize that many of you knew Greg and this news is deeply upsetting and in addition to the support of your friends and our Corcoran community GW University Mental Health Services is available 24/7 by calling 202.994.5300 and following the prompts to speak with a counselor immediately. Support is available for walk-ins on the Foggy Bottom campus (Marvin Center, Ground Floor) Monday through Friday between 10 am and 3 pm.
Staff and faculty are invited to take advantage of the university Wellbeing Hotline and the resources available through the Employee Assistance Program. These resources are available to you at no cost through University Human Resources.
If you have concerns about a member of the GW community, please complete a CARE Network Report form so they can receive additional support and outreach.
On behalf of the Corcoran, our thoughts are with Gregory’s family, and we ask members of our community to keep Gregory, his family and friends in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
A gathering to celebrate his life is being planned for the fall at the Corcoran with a date and location to be determined soon.
Sanjit Sethi
Director