Dear Kay,

I never really called you Kay when you were my art teacher in High School, “Mrs. Camozzi” or just “Camozzi” felt more natural.  Lori was fond of saying “Oh, Kay” when you were exasperated with us.  I actually only got the play on words just now (“OK”, get it?).  Kinda late.

Which brings me to why I wanted to write you, though I started studying graphic design in the summer of 2006, and have been pursuing or exploring art as a career since the summer of 2009, I had not thought to write you about it, the only art teacher I can actually say I have had.  Still kinda late.

Just thought it comical that after so many other pursuits since your class I would actually pursue a career in commercial art and think about one in fine art.  Thought it would be fun to share that with you, send some images of the kind of stuff I have done and opportunities I have been fortunate to get.

Even more comical maybe is my decision to apply for an art teaching position at a school this last week (luckily the spot was filled, not sure I wanted the job).

I hope you would like my stuff, I hope you would appreciate it or at least appreciate that I come back and apologize for taking advantage of your good nature and loose attendance policy, I was late a lot.

I appreciate you giving us opportunities to see the way art could be used in commercial settings, though at the time I didn’t have the discipline to develop any real skill, or the courage to be honest about my desire to create or the gumption to just try.

But as a teacher you saw value in the work I did even though I was cavalier about it, just trying to do what I had to for a grade.  You pushed projects back for development and improvement.  Seeing in it what I did not or could not value.

I still have the pastel you entered in the art show that ended up going to DC.  It hangs in my studio space now.

So thank you. Thanks for teaching gifted students, reluctant students, students who knew they had talent, those who thought they did, those who hoped they did and those who acted like they didn’t care.

Better late than never.

I only learned recently that Kay died of cancer two years ago, but I offer this letter to her anyways and will probably seek a way to send it to her family.