Dorothy "Tut" Altman Riddick

Tut was born and reared in York, Alabama and was a long time resident of Mobile. She is predeceased by her loving husband, Harry Riddick of 66 years; her sisters Mary Yturria and Eleanor Curran, and brother John Altman. She is survived by her daughter, Renee Wilber (Michael) of Mobile; her granddaughters, Ruthie Wright (Matthew) of La Mirada, CA, Laurel Hance (Clint) of Austin, TX, Bethany Anderson (Peter) of Beverly, MA; eleven great-grandchildren; as well as nieces and nephews.

After the divorce of her parents, Dorothy and John Altman, Tut was reared by her grandmother and aunt, Lula and Elizabeth Altman in York. She attended Livingston State Teachers College where she was Miss STC; Huntingdon College; and the University of Alabama, where she distinguished herself as the first female debate champion at the university. She was the debate coach at Murphy High School in Mobile and also taught art and literature at Glendale School in Prichard.

It was in Mobile that Tut met and married her devoted husband Harry, a Mobile attorney, who freely supported her many artistic endeavors. Over eight decades Tut has exhibited her boundless creativity and curiosity through media ranging from painting, sculpture, mosaic, photography, screen printing and the written word. Her passion for community, color, expression and individuality infuse each piece of her work. She studied art in Paris, at the Art Students League of New York and at her beloved Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina over 30 summers.

Her accolades include the Governor’s Award in 1991 to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the arts in Alabama; induction into the Black Belt Hall of Fame in 2013; Herstory Honoree in 2013 for contributions of South Alabama Women who make a difference in the history of Mobile; and the Lifetime Achievement Arty Award from the Mobile Arts Council in 2016. She was honored in 2012 with a retrospective of her work at the Mobile Museum of Art and was included in 2017 as one of five artists who were an “integral part of the contemporary art scene” in “5 Mobile Artists” at this museum.

Perhaps Tut’s encouragement of emerging young artists is one of her most significant contributions. Her belief in art as a bridge led her to found the Coleman Center in York in 1985, bringing art and hope to her hometown in Sumter County and the Black Belt, one of the poorest regions in the country. Supported by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, the Center continues to provide art classes, a library and a place of creativity for all ages. In 2015 The University of West Alabama established a permanent gallery of her works relating to experiences and inspirations from Sumter County.

Though her energies began to flag in her last days, Tut continued to sketch, to send out her colorful notes and to make her art. It was her way of seeing, sharing and celebrating the beauty that we find in our lives. Her favorite scripture was from Isaiah 40: “Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall lift their wings and mount up close to God as eagles mount up to the sun; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Tut, may your strength now be ever renewed, soaring and exulting in the beauty of God and His new creation.

A graveside service will be held at Old Spring Hill Cemetery Saturday, February 14th at 11 am with reception following at the Riddick home on 5 Ashley Drive to celebrate and share Tut’s life through stories and community. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Coleman Center for the Arts or we would encourage you to support your local artists!

From the family: a big, heart-felt thank you to Tut’s devoted caregivers: Pamela Evans, Andretta Jones, Tameka Johnson, Taneisha Orange, Sonya Harmon, Pat Horn and Lynette Smith for their faithful and loving attention.