We are deeply saddened to share that Charlotte (Char) Brooks passed away on August 6, 2023, after battling metastatic breast cancer for many years. Char Brooks was known to BDS as an energetically supportive advocate. Her passion for educating youth on design was evident as she became a BDS ambassador, bringing her friends and colleagues to the school to tour and learn about our programming. Char had a strong background in art education, art, and design, especially fashion. She would stop to talk with students during her tours, sharing fun facts or bits of history related to what they were doing in class. Char volunteered to host a table at the school fundraising brunch in 2022, rounding up new supporters, and attended our spring 2023 brunch even though she was fighting an illness that eventually took her life.

There are many ways that Char made an impact on BDS. Chris Frederick, our Community School Site Specialist, shared Char would often pop in to say hello, share an interesting article, or donate art supplies she no longer needed. During one such visit, Char met a fashion student seeking research help for her thesis on the impact of the Japanese Kimono on fashion design. Char lit up with delight and talked with the student about her own experience with the Kimono and the fabrics with which they’re made. A few days later, she returned to the school to loan the student a personally precious book on the Kimono from her private collection, acquired following her trip to Japan. The bag also contained sample fabrics so the student could touch and see what went into the garment construction; this student is now in college, majoring in fashion.

The tremendous regard the BDS community has for Char is shared by many. In everything she did, she earned respect, advocated for the arts and design, and sought ways to help others. Char is survived by her husband, Carl Brooks, with whom she shared a love of travel, her two daughters, Natalie Bergh and Jessica Brooks, and her son-in-law Ben Burkert. A Memorial for Char will be held on Saturday, August 26th at 11 am at the Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church. Her family has set up a scholarship fund at Baltimore Design School in her memory. You may contribute to this fund by visiting the Support BDS page and entering “Char Brooks Scholarship” in the first line under Additional Information.

Karen Carroll
BDS Board of Trustees
Dean Emerita, Center for Art Education, MICA