Suzy Greenberg, Star Tribune photo by Tom Sweeney
Suzy Greenberg, a passionate advocate for young artists who invested her money and business savvy in the founding of two Minneapolis art galleries, died Thursday.
She collapsed during an exercise routine at The Firm, a Minneapolis workout studio, and was rushed to Hennepin County Medical Center where staff were unable to revive her.
Greenberg, 44, founded her namesake gallery Soo Visual Arts Center in 2001 and made the Lyndale Av. organization into a mainstay of the Minneapolis art scene. For years she mentored graduates of her alma mater, the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, where she earned an MFA degree in 1998. She regularly staged the college's MFA shows and then nurtured the graduates' careers with curatorial advice, studio visits, grant recommendations and even suggestions of books to read.
"In a gallery you want great lighting, a great support staff and a good crowd, and Suzy did all of those things in spades," said Rob Davis, MCAD's director of communications.
Two years ago, Greenberg turned over SooVAC's day-to-day operations to staff but retained the title of artistic director and continued to curate shows and oversee the exhibition program.
"Her commitment never stopped once she invested in an artist," said Carolyn Payne, SooVAC's Executive Director.
The unexpected death shocked SooVAC staff because of Greenberg's apparent fitness. "She was really healthy as far as we knew," Payne said. "She worked out every day and had a big meditation practice."
