In Memory

Kim Duffin VIEW PROFILE

Kim Duffin, SLC Arts Council longtime staffer, dies at 57   -  November 6, 2012

As associate director of the Salt Lake City Arts Council for 25 years, Kim Duffin was all about supporting artists."He always had good advice and showed them great patience," said Karen Krieger, the council's executive director and Duffin's boss. "He was known for patiently guiding them toward their goals, whether it was how to be a better candidate for a grant or a better candidate for a show."Duffin died Sunday at age 57. In his job at the Arts Council, Duffin coordinated the visual arts exhibits at the Finch Lane Galleries and the council's Guest Writers Series. Among his claims to fame was arranging the first Utah reading by then up-and-coming poet Katharine Coles, who later went on to serve as Utah's poet laureate from 2006 to 2011.   Krieger said Duffin was "very, very kind, considerate, thoughtful, and respectful." He also had a "very playful and dry wit," she said. She recalled visiting Duffin in the hospital earlier this year after a stroke, and the longtime smoker told her, "Well, I guess I just quit smoking."Duffin was born April 22, 1955, in Salt Lake City. He graduated from Skyline High School in 1973 and received bachelor's degrees in business administration and environmental science from Westminster College in 1977 and a master's degree in arts administration from the University of Utah in 1983.   Before his long stint at the Salt Lake City Arts Council, Duffin worked as a program manager of the Utah Arts Council. He was on the board of the Utah AIDS Coalition, the Utah Wilderness Alliance and other nonprofit groups.He is survived by three brothers and two nephews.  A celebration of Duffin's life is set for Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Art Barn, 54 Finch Lane, Salt Lake City. A brief remembrance will begin at 5 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to contribute to the Arts Council for a commission to be dedicated in his honor.



 
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05/19/13 06:02 PM #1    

Marianne Dobson (Ogaard)

I first became acquainted with Kim in the first grade.  His was always much smarter than I and I was always better at sports, but we had alot of fun.  It was fun working with him on the 10 and 20 year reunions.  His dry sense of humor and wit along with his artisitic talent and appreciation of life and the small things was much appreciated.  I will definitely miss him this reunion and always.  Marianne Dobson Ogaard


05/22/13 09:40 AM #2    

Lisa Condie

I still can't believe Kim is gone.  I'm just certain that I'll come back to SLC, call him for coffee, and we'll spend three hours talking and laughing again.  He was unassuming, kind, very witty, caustic, but soft spoken....I think of him so often, and I miss his gentle soul.


06/01/13 07:31 PM #3    

Paula Bennion (May)

It's hard to find out about classmates that have passed away.  Kim was such an amazing person. He always had something witty to say and was was always so kind to me... a true gentleman.   I loved his soft spoken style, quiet demeanor and artistic sense.   Truly an intelligent and humble person; he left quite a legacy.  I wish I had kept in touch.  He will be missed.


07/24/13 08:26 PM #4    

Amy Newman

Kim was a close friend in high school and college. Together, we studied, laughed and supported each other through adolescent angst.  I valued his sensitivity, wit, charm, and musical talent.  He sang at my wedding and then we lost touch with each other.   I was saddened to learn of his untimely death last December.  His gentle presence will be missed at the reunion.


08/29/13 09:19 PM #5    

Debbie Kuhn (Curry)

Dear Kim,

What an amazing gentleman you were. (I voted for you, by the way.) Truly, you were a talented, humble leader, with great vision. When I read about all the incredible actions you initiated for the Utah Arts Council in such a short period of time...well, it makes one pause in gratitude. It is men like you that live behind the spotlight that catalyze important events  that transform a community. God bless you. We were blessed by knowing you. 


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