Dear Jan,  So many fond memories we  shared.  Our chance meeting in Los Angeles in 1974,  was at the Renaissance Fair.  How we enjoyed cooking our favorite vegetarian meals together.  Many sunsets and sunrises in Venice Beach.  Bike rides on the board walk and swims in the Pacific Ocean.  The  passion that bonded us was and mutual love for the visual arts.  The delightful Summer we back packed into the Sierra mountain range.  You looked incredible in the hand woven blouses I brought back from Guatemala.  Thank You for sharing your kindness and vision.  Your forever in my heart and soul.   Tom

Thinking of Jan today. 1.5 years since she moved into the light. Jan’s smile, her deep and authentic love for her friends, her generosity…Jan was my mentor when I came to risd. Welcoming, warm, encouraging. And she became my friend almost instantly. We were so lucky to have her in our midst. She brought such a clear spirit to any room she entered. Clarity of purpose. Focus. Regard. And love. And compassion. And kindness. And craft. And care… I miss you Jan. xoxox

I was about to enter this scan of an envelope into my blog and wanted to share it here. It is the unmistakable hand of Jan, and in this is the love and respect she shared with her students. Her legacy continues with those of us who have chosen to live our lives as teachers.  What was in this envelope? It keeps my memory of her, reminding me to value and  trust in the unique hand each of us brings to what we make.

Jan~
The world is a less beautiful place without you in it. You were the supportive, encouraging parent I never had, a mentor, a teacher, a friend. Every job I've had in design has been due to things you taught me. The classes I had with you at RISD 1996-2000 remain my fondest memories. I was incredibly fortunate to have been there & to have had you as an instructor. May you rest in peace beautiful lady.

Jan, from the time spent in your classes at RISD ( 1986-1990) to this day, there is still not a year that passes that I do not think of you when I pick up a new pen or a pen I've used for years. I thank you for the gift of you and your hands. I will forever strive to make the marks with writing utensils that complete me, that fill me, that remind me of your beauty and talent. Thank you Jan Baker for all that you are, all that you shared and all that will continue to live on about you. I will never forget you. xo Lisa

I had the pleasure of knowing Jan for many years in my capacity as Jan and Mark's trusted tax advisor.  Her loss is deeply felt and I can say from the heart that I feel that I am a better person for having made her friendship all these years.

The world has lost a truly gifted person and kindred spirit.

Knowing Jan as a delightful young friend filled with the joy of designing, teaching, creating, inspiring, touching so many of us with her sweet magic.  Unforgettable.  Heartfelt condolences to the Baker family and to the entire RISD world, students, alumni, colleagues, who continue to cherish her.  
May her memory be a blessing always.

Sending much love and condolences to Jan Baker's friends, family, and loved ones. We remember her visiting our father's shop on Thayer, a very friendly, familiar face on the East Side. We are so sorry for your loss. 

Dear Jan, 

We bring with us memories of your warmth, incredible talent, smile, and commitment to others. Your work was amazing, and your standards were high. 

Some of my favorite times at RISD were spent in your classes: in the papermaking studio and working on artists’ books. It was what I wanted to be making. I am still involved with books, twenty years later. 

My thoughts are with Mark and your family and friends, and the countless number of students you affected in such a positive way. I felt like you really “got” us. Thank you.

Erin

I loved Jan Baker!!! She was an inspiration, a great mentor, and a sweet sweet lady. As my professor at RISD (1986-1990) , she made me fall in love with typography and bookmaking. She was also my neighbor during my sophomore year (we lived in the same beautiful big house on Benefit Street). My heart aches. Ingrid

Dear Jan, I owe you so much. 

Your teaching revealed the nuances of typography to me in ways that can not be unseen. If there is a kerning equivalent to the Rocky training montage, it was your Type 1 class. You forged much of what makes me the designer I am today. You also supported my impulse to visit Japan and allowed me to follow my instinct to just make things about the experience. These are some of my best memories from school. 

In my own teaching I have tried to emulate your influence and assignments as much as possible. Those of us that studied with you know how rare and special you were and will miss you deeply.

Nicholas.

What a loss. Jan was such a force of goodness and creativity here at RISD and among her friends and students. We will sorely miss you Jan. You inspired not only your students but the faculty and staff  with your positive energy and limitless generosity. Who among us could repress a smile watching Jan in meetings, magically  transforming notes and debates into a beautiful visual tapestry of lines, letters and words, making sense of what was being said;  meeting minutes that one would want to frame and cherish.  A few key figures  carry the ethos of a community and at RISD Jan was the one that reminded us by her deeds and work  how fortunate we are  as artists and designers to be part of such a creative place.

I remember Jan as a genuine gentle and joyful presence at RISD, at dinners at her house and friends', and in Rome.  Like a spring flower, this presence  is fleeting and her work is like a garden. All grace.

Jan Baker made the biggest impact on my life out of my time at RISD. Her passion and care for her work has always and will always stick with me. She took the time to share her craft with me and and wrote me little notes of encouragement during my time at RISD and even jumped in to mentor me in my degree project even though she wasn't my designated mentor. I think of her often as I still make and mend books. She was full of love and will be so remembered. 

Thank you for guiding me in making my first artist book Sophomore year of RISD. I still have and constantly reference the little book structures we made out of scrap paper. I remember clearly, your words of encouragement and advice prior to graduation while I was your TA. Your perspective, love, and passion will never be forgotten and will live on through all of the students and people you have touched. Rest in peace, Professor Jan Baker. I will forever think of you when I hear or see of Sonia Delaunay, paste paper, color, textiles and books. My deepest and most sincere condolences to  family and friends. 

I will never forget Jan Baker in my life. As my Degree Project professor at RISD, Jan challenged me and taught me invaluable lessons about design and the world that awaited me after graduating. My deepest condolences to her family, I will always have fond memories every time I see a miniature chair.

Jan was my typography professor at Boston University when I was in grad school. She was a wonderful and whimsical teacher. I'm so saddened to learn of her passing.

When I was a grad student at RISD studying graphic design, my first opportunity to be a Teaching Assistant was for Jan Baker. I didn't really know what a Teaching Assistant did, and I spent a lot of time observing Jan do her thing. I felt huge at 5'6" standing next to her, but she was a million times more powerful than me. She had a magical energy that was inspiring to be around as much as it was matter-of-fact. She encouraged students to make work that had a physical and emotional "touch". Students spent a lot of time looking at and creating images of the human hand. I saw Jan's handwriting in a book or magazine recently, it was a part of another's project and she had a prominent credit. Her handwriting may have been one of the best expressions of her personality: thoughtful and intentional, spirited and lively, grounded but light, full... but also looking like it was maybe winking at you. Jan will be missed, and I am grateful that I had an opportunity to learn from her and encounter her lovely spirit while she was here. 

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Jan Baker

13 août 1950 – 28 avril 2018

Sugarman Sinai Memorial Chapel

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