Contemporary Native American artist Rick Bartow, who achieved international acclaim while living and working on the Southern Oregon Coast, died April 2 at age 69 of congestive heart failure. He was at his home near Newport, surrounded by family and friends.
Bartow, who friends and colleagues described as brilliant, generous and inspired by a wide range of cultural experiences, was more well known abroad for his paintings and sculptures than all but a handful of Oregon artists; he also made his mark in the nation's capital.