Val M. Cushing – 82 – of Water Wells Rd., Alfred Station, died Sunday evening (November 17, 2013) at Noyes Memorial Hospital in Dansville.
Survivors include his wife, Elsie along with his children, Mark, Karen & Eric.
At Val’s request there will be no calling hours or services. Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.
My sincere sympathy to the Cushing family. The inspiration this wonderful man gave as a gift, will live on in many, many lives he touched, including my own. I’m so very sorry for your loss.
My sympathy to the Cushing family. I met Val when he came to our little art association in northern Michigan to give a workshop. His kindness, knowledge, and generosity to all the participants created a wonderful atmosphere. After a few days I felt I had a new friend and teacher who I might have known a lifetime. Thank you, Val.
Our heartfelt sympathies to Val Cushing’s family. He was a gifted and dedicated teacher who shared with all who asked, and a true and inspirational artist. His gifts will be passed forward. Thanks, Val.
My thoughts and prayers for his family. I met Val at a workshop , he was so kind and helpful. I will always remember and admire him. I’m glad he got to see the leaves change before he passed. Fall is his favorite.
Rest In Peace Val.
With sincere sympathy I am saddened to know that Val has passed. Val was always available to students, his warm approach was felt beyond the ceramics department. I am thankful to have met him during my time at Alfred and beyond. He could form a magical breath into a vessel! Be well.
Sincere sympathy to the Cushing family for their loss.
Val Cushing was an true inspiration for potters and sculptors everywhere.
We want to express our sincere sympathy to Val’s family. We’re sorry for your loss and share with many people similar fond memories of Val’s kindness and generosity of spirit.
Warmest thoughts going out to you all,
Mandy, Nicholas and Zoe Economos
Elsie, my heart goes out to you and your family. To this day i am still discovering little things that Val so carefully taught me. It is like walking through a field with burdock you know they are there and you are trying to make sure you see them so you know when they get stuck to you. Like when you are in school trying to recognize the concepts and ideas so you can internalize them so they stick to you. Val covered all of us with burdock and we didn’t even see half of them. I find these magical Cushing burdock often and am delighted that i could still be learning from Val. Take care Erik, Elsie and the rest of the Cushing Family and thank you for sharing Val with all of us. Val along with all of you have made this world a better place.
My sympathies to Elsie & the Cushing family. Val was one of the kindest, gentlest men I’ve ever met. He shared so much, through facts & experiences. In Glaze Calc. Class Val kept talking about “soaking” the kiln, to get crystals in the glaze. I couldn’t help but ask, “Do you mean, throw water on the kiln?” I’ll never forget his chuckle & smile from ear to ear. And do you know, even though many laughed, he explained to me what that meant, and did not make me feel bad one bit. A dang good and kindly instructor. May you make beautiful Art in the Heavens Val!
I think of Val when I choose one of his museum quality mugs for my morning coffee.
As fellow students we shared the classes given by Rhodes and Fosdick and Nelson, under the wise patronage of Charles Harder,
Val will always be remembered as a warm and generous friend.
My sympathy to his family.
We are so lucky to have benefited from Val’s work during his lifetime of dedication to the arts and to life. Live. Breathe. Work. We hope to continue his legacy and create beautiful things. Condolences to the Cushing family.
Dear Val,
You were always there for me to stop by your office in Harder Hall to talk with. I didn’t need to make an appointment or to be in one of your classes. You would take time out of your busy day to talk with me about pots, potters, history, and clay.
You had a sparkle in your eye, and a warm smile. As my adviser you inspired me to explore what I hadn’t learned. In my four years at Alfred I never saw you annoyed, with anyone.
I consider myself fortunate to have been one of your students. You shared something very special.
You were a very giving person, a gifted instructor, and of course an incredible ceramicist.
My deepest sympathies go out to your family at this time.
You were my teacher, mentor, and friend, I will miss you…. a great talent in ceramics, and an even greater talent as a person…you will be sorely missed….
My ceramic professor at Alfred and the nicest, gentlest, and most caring man I’ve ever met. My sympathy goes out to the entire family. He will be so missed. A wise, intelligent, passionate, and oh-so-talented man; one of God’s greatest gifts to us all.
so sorry for your loss. val left such an impression on me during a weekend workshop i attended. i was in awe; the opportunity to meet him thrilled me, yet i was so nervous because i knew what a living legend he was. he couldnt have put me more at ease: such a sweet, gracious, sincere and humble man. i can not even begin to imagine the hole he has left in the lives of those who truly knew him.