The University community wishes to extend its most sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Carl Granzow, age 65, a founding member of the University of Lethbridge Faculty of Fine Arts (Art Department). Carl was an internationally known sculptor, long-serving faculty member, lecturer, creative influence and friend to many on campus and off.
He passed away Saturday, April 11 surrounded by his family. His spouse Friederike, children John, Michael, Andrea and Kara, and three grandchildren survive Granzow.
A memorial service has not yet been finalized.
Condolences can be directed to Karen Mahar in the Faculty of Fine Arts Dean's office (karen.mahar@uleth.ca) for forwarding to the family.
Carl Granzow's research focused on experimental forms of sculpture and his work has been exhibited in Canada, the United States and Germany. In 1985, the American sculptor Larry Bell selected Granzow's work for exhibition at the North American Sculpture Exhibition in Golden, Colorado where he won the Foothills Art Centre Award for Sculpture.
He also presented at international sculpture conferences in Yorkshire, England and in Oakland, California.
Before discovering art, Granzow attended California Western University on a track scholarship and studied physics. However, his love of art changed the direction of his career.
Granzow came to the University of Lethbridge in 1975 as a lecturer in sculpture and design and in 1979 he accepted a tenure track position in the Department of Art, where he maintained a balanced interest in teaching, research/creative activity, and administrative service.
Over the past almost 30 years, he was instrumental in the development of Papokan, the University's Sculpture Park; the Gushul Studios Artist Residency Program in the Crowsnest Pass; and the University's art studio program.
Administratively, he served as Chair for the Art Department, President of the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association, and was most recently the Associate Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Director of the Papokan Sculpture Park.
Granzow also initiated and coordinated the University's Phase Two Sculpture Competition that resulted in the acquisition of a major work entitled Western Channel by John McEwen.
Recently, Granzow worked with the U of L Grounds staff to create a large tree-planting project near the U of L's Aperture Lake. Calling it the 100-Tree Grove, the work consists of a large planting of trees and a rock spiral sculpture on a hill overlooking the lake.
He also designed a large sculpture, Sphere of Influence, which now sits in downtown Lethbridge.
Some of his work is part of the exhibit "First Faculty: works by early members of the University of Lethbridge Art Department" currently on display in the Helen Christou Gallery.
