Gordon Fluke

We are sad to announce the passing of long-time SFCC Director of Continuing Education and Printmaking & Book Arts Instructor Gordon Fluke.

Mr. Fluke passed away after an illness on January 24, 2023. Gordon joined SFCC in August 1996, going on to retire as the Director of Continuing Education in 2016. In recent years, Mr. Fluke continued his work as an instructor in Printmaking and Book Arts. He was known for his expertise in letterpress, papermaking and book arts. Fluke was the owner of J.D. Grahame Cracker Press, a small private press specializing in hand-set type and hand-bound works of art. He was a very talented artist who often exhibited his work, and whose art was showcased in the SFCC exhibition "Chapters", which coincided with his retirement as CE Director in 2016.

Although the ideas behind Fluke's work always began with clear intentions of indicting societal ills or sharing personal history, he often infused his work with levity though pop culture, bright imagery, and his signature sarcasm. Fluke studied art at Temple University where he graduated with a B.S. Ed. Art Education, Cum Laude in 1981. A decade later, he received an M.F.A. in printmakingrom Arizona Sate University. While he began his career as a painter and mixed media artist, he gravitated toward printmaking and book arts, media in which he excelled. He went on to earn recognition for his art - such as inclusion in The Best of Printmaking, an International Collection - and became a familiar name in both the letterpress and book arts worlds.

During his tenure in college administration, much of his energy was focused on serving students both as an instructor and as a leader in designing and developing noncredit classes. But that time was not devoid of artmaking. In 2007, Fluke was one of 9 artists from around the world invited to participate in the first International Printmaking Workshop at the Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts in Xi'an, China. 

Fluke is survived by Jeffrey (Jeff) Atwell, his husband of 37 years. Atwell worked in SFCC's Marketing & Public Relations until his retirement in 2018. He appreciates all of the expressions of sympathy, but is requesting privacy at this time of loss. If you would like to share a card with him, you are welcome to bring or send it to Todd Lovato in Marketing & Public Relations where it will be forwarded. 

A friend has set up fundraising efforts to help with medical expenses. Those who want to learn more can email todd.lovato@sfcc.edu.