Anna Campbell Bliss passed away on October 12th, 2015 at her home in Salt Lake City after a long illness at the age of 90.
Anna was born, educated and trained in the east, world traveller, married to Robert Bliss, FAIA Architect, furniture designer and Founding Dean of the School Architecture at the University of Utah. She was a graduate of Wellesley College and earned a Masters Degree in Architecture from Harvard Graduate School of Design. Anna and Bob practiced Architecture together in Minneapolis prior to their move to Salt Lake City.
Architect, painter, printmaker, muralist, publisher, color consultant, pattern developer, teacher, lecturer, photographer, collaborator, friend and mentor to many. Through our friendship and mutual interests I was fortunate enough to see and experience many of her early and later works in architecture, painting and printmaking, the detailing, the modulation of light and brilliant use of color and texture.
Anna made Utah her home, drawing from its rich landscape, culture and the ability to collaborate with regional artists and yet she became a national figure with her art. Travelling nationally and internationally she lectured, taught, wrote and exhibited worldwide. Many of Anna’s pieces are held in private, corporate and public collections. Among many places, her works are hung in the Salt Lake City Airport, The Utah State Office Building and the Nursing School and Math Buildings at the University of Utah.
For Anna, the days were never long enough to meet her enthusiasm and explorative nature. The attempt to get everything just as perfect as possible was a credit to her energy for getting it right. Her work truly brightens one’s day with a smile.
A dear friend sadly missed. We met at the Academy and shared our love for the Academy.
Peter G. Rolland, FAAR’78