Alan Bell Scarritt, 77, of Albany, New York, passed away on July 1, 2023.

He was born to parents Ralph Scarritt Jr. and Natalie Bell Scarritt, on August 14, 1945, in Oak Park, Illinois.

Alan’s life was art. A prolific artist, he had an active decades-long career in San Francisco and New York City. He was known for his mixed-media works on paper, sound, video, photography, sculpture, performance, and installation work. Throughout his career, he had 27 solo shows, 59 group shows, and numerous performances. His work can be found in the Museum of Modern Art, New York; the New York University Library; the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; the Denver Art Museum; and in illustrious private collections. 

An inspiring teacher, he taught at the School of Visual Arts, Mercersburg Academy, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, San Francisco State University, and San Francisco Art Institute, among other institutions.

In 1979 and 1980, Alan was honored with a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship award. Other honors include the Curatorial Fellowship Award at Richmond Art Center, California Arts Council Grant, Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant, and New York State Council for the Arts Grant.

Alan earned a bachelor’s degree from Brown University and a master of fine arts degree from California College of the Arts, where he was named a Distinguished AIumnus.

He was passionate about many things in life including writing, philosophy, music, cinema, books, playing tennis, and global travel.

In honoring his memory, we pay tribute to the significant role played by the partners who shared his life. Alan will be missed by his friends and loved ones whose presence brought him happiness and shaped his character. He leaves a lasting impact on those who have known him.

He is survived by his siblings — Gordon, John (Clarice), Sara, Tillie (Matthew) — and his nieces and nephews — Natalie, Hannah (Kieran), Gaby, Siena, and Sam.

The funeral will be a private service for the family. Notes of sympathy or fond memories can be communicated to the family via email at ScarrittStudios@icloud.com.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Alan Scarritt can be made to the following art museums:

Reynolda House Museum of American Art (online or mailed to Attn: Department of Development, 2250 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC, 27106) 

UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) (online or mailed to Attn: Department of Development Berkeley, 2120 Oxford St #2250, Berkeley, CA  94720)

Museum of Modern Art (online or mailed to Attn: Department of Development, The Museum of Modern Art, 11 West 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019) *Please note that the MOMA online form does not offer the opportunity to make your donation in memory of Alan or to inform the family of the donation.