Ruth Savig

Ruth Elese Savig (May 20, 1930 – May 20, 2018) was a beloved visual artist, teacher, and creative force based in Greeley, Colorado. Known for her warm spirit and impactful artwork, she spent decades enriching the local community by teaching others how to express themselves through art.

Born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, she married Norman Savig in Denver in 1956 and later established her life and career in Greeley. She was a prominent local abstract and goddess-themed artist, with notable works including her 1974 painting "A Private Place". She taught visual art at the University of Northern Colorado and designed and painted countless sets for local theatre productions for the university, Greeley Central High School, and the Stampede Troupe.

In recognition of her deep lifetime contributions to the local cultural landscape, she was posthumously inducted into the Greeley Arts Legacy Hall of Fame in 2019 for Visual Arts.

“She was a warm, creative and caring artist who forged deep friendships in the community. Ruth was known as a wise soul who shared her passion for life with everyone. She had the remarkable talent of touching people with her artwork, and possessed the true gift of teaching others how to do the same.”

Portrait by Danny Griego, former apprentice