Spent an imaginative childhood in Raymond
Kirsten Juergens Friberg, artist and businesswoman, was born in Portland, on March 22, 1974. Kirsten enjoyed an imaginative childhood surrounded by the forest and lakes of Raymond and the rugged ocean landscape of Two Lights State Park in Cape Elizabeth, both of which inspired and fueled her artistic development.
After graduating from Gray-New Gloucester High School in 1992, Kirsten attended New College, the honors college of the University of South Florida, and the Maine College of Art (MECA). During her college years, Kirsten embarked on a memorable cross-country road trip with her best friend. At MECA, Kirsten won a merit-based Half-Tuition Scholarship, and majored in Printmaking, which she enjoyed for its technicality and demanding craftsmanship.
She also worked as gallery manager for the Paul Black Studio in Portland and the John Callahan Gallery on Newbury Street in Boston.
Kirsten made a bold life-changing move to San Francisco, California, in 1997 with her life partner. Arriving at the beginning of the dot-com boom, she managed the advertising traffic system for Preview Travel (now Travelocity), becoming one of the earliest pure Internet professionals. Later, she worked for Streetmedia and Metrofashion. Many of KirstenA? s clients are now successful Internet ventures. Kirsten went on to create Illuna Fashion, a bridal and evening gown boutique and catalog, deriving great satisfaction in helping create special occasion memories for modern women.
Kirsten was happiest when she was by the ocean, and spent many happy days swimming in Santa Monica, La Jolla, Stinson Beach, and Santa Cruz. Creating artwork centered her, and she loved to merge traditional forms of art with digital explorations. Her published fashion sketches are often cited in fashion design academia.
Kirsten passed away on July 30, 2006, after a remarkably graceful two-year battle with breast cancer. Those whose lives Kirsten touched will remember and cherish her for her keen artistic sensibilities, thoughtfulness, integrity, intelligence, and quick wit. Her ability to see the positive aspect of every situation will continue to be an inspiration to us all.
Kirsten is survived by her loving and dedicated life partner, Wes Wilson of San Francisco; mother Ursula Thompson, brother Eric Friberg, and other dear family in Maine; father Richard Friberg and grandmother Elva Friberg of Vera Beach, Florida; best friends Jennifer McLeod and Sadie Fowler of Portland, Maine; and loved ones in Indonesia, Colorado, and South Carolina.
A celebration of Kirsten’s life will be held at Windham Hill United Church of Christ on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 4p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the Breast Care Clinic at USCF Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mt. Zion Hospital, San Francisco. Part of thedonations may be used as a memorial fund for exhibiting Kirsten’s artwork at cancer benefits/centers in the U.S. For inquiries regarding donations, email kirsten@makelive.net.
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