Charly Hansen, a painter and all-around artist, 61
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Hansen recalled for "relentless" creativity
By Tom Carr
TRAVERSE CITY - Charly Hansen, a painter and all-around artist who
could not be confined by a canvas, died at home after a year-long
struggle with cancer. He was 61.
Friends and artists remember Hansen for larger-than-life snow
sculptures at his Second Street home, for advancing the work of all
artists for his colorful clothes and his friendship.
"He was the most relentlessly creative guy I've ever known," said
Richard Sutton, a longtime friend and fellow painter.
Hansen, who died Tuesday, recently founded the Art Works Alliance that
just concluded its first exhibit of local artists.
"Now, everyone has more access to the individual artists of the
community because of him," said Debra McKeon, executive director of the
Traverse Area Arts Council.
In the winter, Hansen made snow-sculptures in his yard, including
pyramids and mounds inside which people could sit. He once made a luge
track around his yard and pulled friends around it in a sled.
"No one enjoyed life more and put more into it than Charly," family
friend Mary Anne Macy said. "Truly, we lost a wonderful, full-of-life
guy, but hopefully we learned a lot from him."
Hansen is well-known for wearing clothes in bright, primary colors,
sometimes having dyed them himself.
He had a show on public access channel TCTV2 called "Charly's Kitchen,"
that featured him cooking and philosophizing. He helped create "Radio
Anyway," a spoken-essay program on Northwestern Michigan College's FM
station WNMC.
He played trumpet, tuba and other instruments.
"He did something with whatever he had at hand," said Brant Leonard, a
piano tuner who loaned Hansen a grand piano last week so Hansen's
daughter Erica could play for him.
"It was a lot of fun being around the guy."
Hansen is survived by his wife of 40 years, Alice, and their two
daughters, Erica Hansen of New York City and Stacie Hansen of Denver.
A memorial service will be scheduled at Unitarian Universalist Church.
An open house planned for Friday featuring Hansen's art is on hold
until the arts council finds out from his family whether they wish to
reschedule it.