Peter Garick’s mother enrolled her young son in dance school with the intention of encouraging exercise and giving him another interest in life. He was born without sight in his left eye, and a lack of depth perception limited his participation in sports. Early in his studies of dance, he unexpectedly developed a deep love for the performing arts, which would become his lifelong work and passion.
Peter Garick, of Suwanee, died on June 12 in Columbia, S.C., from complications of congestive heart failure. He was 64. A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m., June 30, in the main theater of the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center in Duluth. Barr-Price Funeral Home, Lexington, S.C. is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Garick continued his dance studies while majoring in philosophy at the University of South Carolina. He then joined Canada's Royal Winnepeg Ballet, where he toured the world as a dancer and later served as company manager, responsible for coordinating the details of the company’s touring schedule. In 1978, he became the company manager for the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. In 1982, he and friend Sergei Sawchyn developed and produced a western world tour of The Great Circus of China. “Peter was extremely well-traveled due to his work with The Great Circus of China,” said long-time friend Dr. Einer Anderson of Columbia. “The only continent he hadn’t visited was Antarctica.”
Mr. Garick returned to the United States in 1984 to work as a freelance consultant in arts management and promotion, and later bought the Duluth School of Ballet, where he served as owner and artistic director until his death. His was dedicated to helping students grow as individuals by instilling in them a love and appreciation for the art form. “He felt that it was important to teach dance students the holistic approach to dance and art so that they would be greater audience members and contributors to the field of dance, whether on stage or off,” said Susan Anderson, professor of dance at the University of South Carolina and director of the university’s dance program.
Some of Mr. Garick's proudest moments were seeing the children he taught for many years, grow up and return to the Duluth School of Ballet for lessons with their own children. "He always kept those relationships strong with those families," said wife Camille Garick of Suwanee. "He touched so many lives. Yet, if he was standing here, he would tell you that those lives also touched him."
"Those kids meant more to him that anything," said friend Marty Shaw, whose daughter has attended Duluth School of Ballet for twelve years. "He was a champion of the arts in Atlanta."
Dr. Anderson described Peter Garick, who continued dancing his whole life, as a renaissance man who possessed a knowledge of a many activities outside of his profession. He was an experienced fisherman, cook and woodworker, with a keen interest in Macintosh computers and model railroad trains. "I recently refinished a set of Adirondack chairs that he made some years ago," said Dr. Anderson. "We will be using them at our lake house, and they will remind us of him every time we visit."
Mrs. Garick said her husband will be remembered as the teacher, mentor, dancer, artist and professional that he was. "He was the ultimate professional, as seen during his last performance," she said. "He put off his own health issues to make sure that those kids and their families had the best experience, the best time."
In addition to his wife, Mr. Garick is survived by sister Alma Garick of Columbia and step-daughter Savannah Duda of Suwanee.
About the Author