Patrick Coué Remembers Roberta
The Philadelphia arts community has lost its greatest champion. Roberta Fallon left us far too early on December 5, 2025. We have lost a colleague, a mentor, a friend, a relentless advocate for artists and art criticism, and a tireless defender of justice and human dignity. This petite and unassuming woman was larger than life. As an artist and an art critic, she touched countless lives. Her impact is immeasurable, and the incommensurable void left by her departure will be felt for a very long time.
Roberta cannot be neatly categorized. She was multifaceted. But above all, one thing stands out: she deeply cared about people—especially people without a voice, people who were oppressed, disenfranchised, and routinely overlooked. One only needs to reread Artblog’s mission statement to understand that advancing marginalized artists was Roberta’s lifelong commitment. Getting to know people mattered to her because she genuinely cared about their well-being.
Artblog, the pioneering online publication she co-founded with her longtime friend Libby Rosof, became an indispensable source for all things contemporary art in and around Philadelphia. Hundreds—if not thousands—of artists, galleries, museums, and institutions were mentioned, discussed, and reviewed by Roberta, Libby, and numerous contributors over more than twenty-two years.
Roberta was the ultimate connector. She excelled at bringing people together. Many worlds intersected because of her. How many of us heard her say, “Do you know so-and-so? As soon as I get to my computer, I’ll make an introduction”?
If she had a motto, the word collaboration would have been at its heart. She thrived on exchanging ideas and brainstorming with others. Her artistic collaborations with Libby prior to Artblog were the precursors to a prolific career built on dialogue and teamwork. In her seemingly hands-off manner, Roberta had an uncanny gift for stimulating ideas and sparking enthusiasm. Meeting with Roberta felt like receiving a booster shot. Yes, you often left with a list of tasks—but more importantly, your mind buzzed with possibilities. You felt inspired. You felt you could make a difference.
Perhaps her greatest strength was her attentive listening. I do not recall her ever cutting anyone off. Everyone deserved to be heard. She listened with wide, wondering eyes. When you proposed an idea, you had the impression it was the greatest idea ever formulated. And often, ten minutes later, you would realize that perhaps it wasn’t such a great idea after all. She didn’t shut it down—though she easily could have. With pointed questions and a wealth of experience, she gently guided you to see the limitations yourself. She had strong opinions, but she never imposed them. A softly spoken “Let’s not go down that rabbit hole,” or “Let’s not reinvent the wheel,” was enough to steer you away from an impasse.
Describing Roberta as humble is a gross understatement. It was never about her; it was always about Artblog and the community. I remember when several of us went to her house to gather material from her studio for the Artblog 20th anniversary exhibition at Moore College of Art & Design. As we marveled at early artworks—many created with Libby—I can still hear her saying, “No one is going to want to see this; we were just being silly and having fun.”
Roberta’s generosity had no boundaries. She was generous with her time, her expertise, her wisdom. You were disarmed by her magnanimity, and in return you felt compelled to give back. Despite her busy schedule, she always found time to see you, squeeze in a phone call, jump on a Zoom, or meet for tea when she was in town. And it didn’t have to be about work or art; sometimes it was simply about reconnecting and checking how life was going.
Roberta disliked decorum, pomp, and circumstance. Casual, organic, and impromptu were the watchwords of Artblog events. She was anti-establishment and fiercely progressive. Perfection was the enemy of the good. These qualities also made her so personable and approachable.
I met Roberta in the fall of 2006. She came into the Gallery at the Art Institute of Philadelphia to review a student exhibition for Philadelphia Weekly, which was also posted on Artblog. The show was the culmination of a Museum Studies course I taught, in which students worked in teams throughout the trimester on everything from the press release and graphic design to the installation itself.
I was immediately drawn to Roberta’s warm and empathetic presence as soon as she stepped into the gallery. She took out a notebook and asked straightforward questions about how the course and exhibition came together. Although I would discover much later her unparalleled encyclopedic knowledge of the Philadelphia art scene, she did not flaunt any of it. On the contrary, she deeply connected with the works on display. I was nervous—I had never been interviewed by an art critic—but her gentle demeanor put me at ease. I felt as if I were speaking with a peer, someone I had known for years.
The students and I were ecstatic when the review came out—someone had dared to write about a show in an under-the-radar school gallery. I didn’t know it yet, but the more “under the radar,” the better for Roberta. The next year she returned, this time with her partner-in-crime Libby. The dynamic duo came to see another student exhibition. If I recall correctly, it was a videotaped review—one of their first videos for Artblog. I have vivid memories of their playful interaction, bouncing impressions off one another, delighting in an immersive installation by Janel Olah. It was like watching two kids in a toy store.
This was the beginning of a friendship I will always treasure.
Wherever Roberta has been carried now, I am sure there is already a circle forming around her—discussing creative projects, exchanging ideas, sharing pizza and cake, and perhaps even enjoying one of her pumpkin pies.
—Patrick Coué