Hi Everyone,

Colin DeLand has passed on to another plane of art existance.

CD was one of my best friends. He was a good friend to a fair
amount of you that I write this to.

Charlie Finch broke the story on ArtNet.com earlier today.
I have no follow-up as to a funeral, wake or anything as I
write this email, but I am sure that one will happen somewhere.

I met Colin back in the early 80's when he started up Vox Populi
Gallery on E. 6th Street. It was the wild and woolley days of
artists, galleries and whatnot.

When all the 3 year leases on the galleries ended, and the days
of cheap rent ended, off to Soho and lower Wooster St. he went.
American Fine Arts Co. was here to stay.

Colin helped a ton of artists get their start in the artworld.
There wasn't anything he didn't help support. Street art, New Media
art, tradiional performance, painting, you name it, and Colin was
involved in it.

Almost no one reading this mail wasn't in American Fine Arts Co.
at one time or another over the last 20 years.

A flood of memories are now circulating in my spirit.
Eddie, Magda, Angie, Jackie, and Daniel, his right hand guys and gals.
Susie Mallook and the Jean Michele Basquiat romance, The Colin DeLand
Dealer collectible card (with my picture on it), His never ending
support of Peter Fend (so he could have a couple of pennies to
rub together), endless runs to Ray's News on Ave. A for coffee
and cigarettes, the old 79 Chevy and the alternate side of the
street parking game on 6th Street, borrowing money for plane
fare to Minneapolis for whatever the emergency was at the time,
coffee and cigarettes from the deli on West Broadway, the collection
of baseball hats, Colin was usually the first to get the latest
edition of 'The NetLetter' when it came out, mini-Budwieiser's at
his openings, and the always the same look opening cards with the
heavy creme card stock, trips to this art happening or that.

There are so many things that are rushing though me to say them all.
CD even showed up in court for me more than once, when no one else
would show up, and there was some kind of injustice going on.

Someone once referred to Colin as "a poor man's Leo Castelli".

Before I break down here, I will let you all know when something
happens.

Colin DeLand.
Webbittown Share Designer #29.
Part of the New York Landscape.
He will be more than just missed.

Red Ed