A Tribute to Beryl Solla
Beryl Solla has been a consistent presence on campus and in The Forum for many years. We at The Forum wanted to compile memories, photos, and articles from students and faculty alike to honor her after her death in February of 2021. Here, we present a collection of art, poems, and memories all related or dedicated to Beryl Solla.
“I always felt wholly connected to Beryl. Although I was a health science faculty and she an art faculty, I looked up to her and saw her as a mentor in many ways. She was confident, spirited, and full of advice and kindness. She was one of the first faculty who warmly welcomed me to PVCC 11 years ago. She was always the first to give me a compliment or offer a warm smile that would make me feel at ease. A couple of my favorite traditions here at the college were lead by Beryl; ‘Art and Chocolate’ and ‘Let There Be Light’. It was a privilege knowing her and to call her my colleague and friend. Now, in her memory, whenever I look at a piece of art I’m going to want a piece of chocolate, if for no other reason than to think of her with the same warmth that she always showed to me. She will be greatly missed.”
—Nicole Winkler
“I remember helping Beryl set up for Let There Be Light. I remember Beryl’s artistic flare–her lively eccentric hair styles and flashy shirts. I remember her speaking up in staff meetings and faculty senate. I remember her warm personality and her dedication to her students. She will be missed by many.”
—Wendi Dass
“I was on the committee that hired Beryl, and she always used to tell me how grateful she was! We had some very interesting candidates, and of course a wonderful art department to to consider. Beryl had so much energy, so many good ideas, and such rapport with the students. We will all miss her.”
—Evelyn Edson
“I am a professor at PVCC and Beryl was a dear friend and colleague for 12 years. I cannot share one specific memory because I have so many awesome ones with Beryl. The one thing that stands out to me is that she was always so wonderful to my daughter Margot. Margot even had her own nick name for Beryl: “Bear Bear.” Since my wife and I have families that live far away, Beryl was always like an extra grandma figure to Margot. One thing I want to say here is that Beryl’s love was infectious. Her care for her friends and loved ones was always so powerful. In her death I still feel her love and care. To quote the Christopher Nolan film Interstellar, ” Love is the one thing we’re capable of perceiving… that transcends dimensions of time and space.” I certainly feel this now. Beryl Solla’s love certain transcends time and space and I still feel her presence.”
—Jeremy Taylor
“This picture was taken from a PVCC event called Yard Dreams from Belmont Ave in September of 2016. This is my daughter Margot in front of (Bear Bear’s) Beryl’s artwork. We thought it was awesome because Margot’s dress seemed to fit seamlessly with the work. She fit in that little installation like a glove. It was perfect because Margot and Beryl were tight buddies.”
—Jeremy Taylor
“During my first year at PVCC, I decided to go to Let There Be Light. By happenstance, Beryl and I noticed one another at opposite ends of a hallway in Dickinson. I knew who she was, but she did not know me. Not yet at least. She recognized me, but not as the recently hired sociology instructor. Instead, she mistook me for an artist. Beryl grabbed my wrist and started ushering me to the food station for artists. My meager protests went unnoticed, too much hustle and bustle for that. Minutes later, Beryl recognized her mistake. For me, the situation was too good to go waste and it became a joke between the two of us. For a long time after, I would often announce myself as ‘The Artist’ whenever we crossed paths at meetings or events. She always responded by slinging barbs my way or jokingly threatening to beat me up; all the while, her smile poorly hiding her feigned outrage.
As the years passed, I started assisting in the set-up for Let There Be Light. It was here that Beryl gave me the nickname of ‘The Brute’ for my ability to handle many of the heavy props and exhibits. Anything heavy, call for me. One year, President Frank Friedman paid a visit to the set-up crew. Here belted out something to the effect of, ‘Hey Frank! Did you know that Todd is a brute? He can lift almost anything.’ It should be mentioned that Beryl often gave people nicknames, usually it was unique between her and the other person. No one ever called [me] The Brute, just Beryl.
Beyond these stories and beyond similar ones that can be shared by colleagues and students, Beryl was a towering figure on campus. She spent fifteen years with us and accomplished what most people could not in forty. She spoke her mind and voiced her passion and compassion, always advocating for students, particularly those struggling academically or experiencing hardships. She will be missed, dearly.”
—Todd Platts
“Painting the gallery, hanging and hanging until late in the evening. Music playing in the halls as she put up or took down a show.. Munching the wonderful treats at the openings.”
—Brad Stoller
“Beryl was one of God’s lovely angels. Her words and actions embodied her strong belief in relationships and love. She was everybody’s best cheerleader. She rooted for you as a professional and a person! She will be missed but not forgotten by those who shared her vision of sisterly/brotherly love.”
—Steve McNerney
“Beryl had a special way of sharing her thoughts during faculty meetings. Always humorous, but no less serious, she cut through the bull-stuff and articulated what many of us were thinking (but may have been too shy to say). Beryl, you will be missed at these meetings and well beyond!”
—Anne Allison
“I have taken multiple classes with Professor Solla, and while the classes had a heavy workload at [the] time, they were also very unique and exciting! Professor Solla was one of the best professors I have had during my time at PVCC because of the experience I had during art. During her classes, I was able to create art with my family, and even my dog! I was also able to spend quality time with my dad visiting the art museum. I will forever cherish the memories I had because of Professor Solla! She will be greatly missed!”
—Christina Bateman
“[This picture] is from October 2019. This was such a fun project because I was able to use some flowers my now husband had given me, along with objects I could find around the house. I love the nature aspect in this art piece along with the heart!”
—Christina Bateman
“I took Professor Solla’s art class last semester. I also got to know Professor Solla even more when I was working with her grandson at an afterschool program last year. Professor Solla would come in to pick her grandson up, I didn’t know it was Professor Solla’s grandson, until I put her last name and his last name together. I hadn’t seen Professor Solla in person until that moment because she taught me virtually. Every week in the after school program I tried to incorporate the artistic skills that professor Solla taught me the previous semester. I remember Professor Solla sitting in on our art lessons we had planned in the after school program, I remember Professor Solla asking her grandson about the color wheel, and neutral colors. He knew all of them!! It was awesome to see her passion for art and pass them on to her grandson. Professor Solla will truly be missed by all. Thank you Professor Solla for brightening up the world with your amazing color schemes. The family of Professor Solla are in my thoughts and prayers.”
—Quana Dennis
“Tribute to Beryl Solla
(with all due apologies to Genesis)
Now the campus was formless and void, and drabness was over the surface of the deep basement. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the drabness. And God said, “Let there be light,” and Beryl said, “You’re damn right, God, we need some color here!!” And lo, she began splashing. And there was light. And color. And excitement. And movies. And hot chocolate with banana bread. And God saw that it was good, and He said: “You rock, Beryl!”
There has been so much excitement in this place here below for so many years: red and blue and purple and orange and green and yellow bursting into our field of view. And now there is quite a tizzy in the Place upstairs: Previously dignified angels with slow, majestic steps are giddy with excitement and dancing the tango at the very thought of getting to shed their dull white robes and don some new robes that are bursting with color. We shan’t begrudge them their joy, although we’ll still miss our Beryl.”
—Patricia Jassmann
Here is a collection of links to past articles that feature Beryl Solla:
Art In The Age Of Virtual Learning by Maxwell Walpole, 2020
The Cultural Hub Of Free Movie Fridays by Tiana Sigala, 2019
Brighten Your December At Let There Be Light by Liberty Anderson, 2018
Piedmont Profile: Beryl Solla by Jake Delaurier, 2016
Here is where you can find all Forum articles tagged with “Beryl Solla.”
Here is PVCC’s page, “Remembering Beryl Solla.”
