Well-known member of Chicago's art community, Rodolfo "Rudy" Aviña, owner of Creativo Framing in River North, was tragically killed on May 30, 2015. A senseless crime was committed in the Pilsen neighborhood that Rudy called home, and where he spent much time giving back to the community. 

Rudy established relationships with many local artists, galleries, and museums through his professional framing business and his various artistic and collegial collaborations throughout the city. 

Chicago Gallery News has worked with Rudy for much of his 20 years in the framing business, and we will remember him as a cheerful, kind neighbor. Our hearts go out to his friends and family. He will be missed by many. 

A memorial service for Avina is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, at 7pm at Citlalin Gallery, 2005 S. Blue Island Avenue, Chicago, IL. 

Top image courtesy of the National Museum of Mexican Art and the Remembering Rudy Facebook Page. Raquel Aguiñaga-Martinez of the NMMA writes "On behalf of the Visual Arts / Permanent Collection departments at the Museo (NMMA) please accept our most sincere condolences. Even though Rudy was not a staff member, he was a valued part of our team for over 20 years. He was one of the few people in Pilsen who understood all the love and work it takes to put up an exhibition. He knew of the challenges and sometimes personal sacrifices that this kind of job requires. Rudy was one of the few non-staff members that we fully trusted when it came to caring for the Permanent Collection."

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Rudy's Light Outshines the Darkness - gofundme.com donations will help cover family and funeral expenses. 

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Remembering Rudy Avina: 'He Found a Way to Connect with You' - DNAinfo

Pillar of Pilsen Community Killed Over the Weekend - Extranews.net