In those early days, Sinclair recalls, it was held together by a “wire” as it operated without full-time staff and without a group of volunteers. Two years later, he took part in the opening of the 701 Center for Contemporary Art. Roefs is best known as one of the creators of the 701 Center for Contemporary Art – an organization that has developed a strong regional reputation for modern art – and for his cozy Vista-based if ART Gallery, one of the only and of the city’s most adventurous shopping malls.
The art gallery owner was known for being honest and direct, yet warm and kind in his support of those he was close to, the friends and associates depicted. Roefs’ role in Columbia’s artistic landscape spanned years, as he helped steer the city’s visual and performing arts scene toward a contemporary lens. He sought intelligent, intellectually curious work that challenged the viewer not only on how he saw art physically, but also on how he thought about things. He was a very honest person and had a deep love for the integrity of art. “It also meant caring about what he liked and disliked. “He was an honest critic, if he was on your side you couldn’t find a better advocate for your work,” said Michaela Pilar Brown, 701 CCA’s Executive Director and Roefs-represented artist. Roefs died of a heart attack, the gallery announced in an email. Wim Roefs, owner of Columbia’s If ART Gallery and founding member of the 701 Center for Contemporary Art, died May 12.
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