DAVID MICHAEL SISK
David Michael Sisk, age 75, was born in Chico, California October 7th, 1945 and died March 21st, 2021 of a heart attack on the North Rim trail of Upper Bidwell Park. That beautiful spring day he was on an adventure with his two beloved grand-dogs Moti and Rue. David Sisk, aka the artist ‘Sisko’ was a one of a kind local public art philosopher, creative mentor, teacher, and political art activist, well known for his Public Sisko Announcements that often appeared on a local billboard near you. David was the third child of Marja and Marcus Sisk and also a third generation of family born in Chico. Sisko graduated with an art degree and teaching credential from CSU, Chico and lived most of his life in Chico and Butte Creek Canyon. He was a loving husband, brother, father, grandfather and uncle. David is survived by his wife Elizabeth Ann Sisk, daughter Brae Onna Weil, son Jebediah Drew Sisk, granddaughter Olive Ayres Sisk, and his two brothers, Marc Sisk and George Sisk. He has many more extended family, both blood and friends and he was a father figure/ mentor to many creative young people, and a well-loved friend to many peers. David was a magical and majestic soul, peaceful and warm to everyone he met; his kindness and humor touched a wide circle in our community and beyond. He was a fantastical child at heart, curious and playful especially with children. He always sparked their imagination and found a way to see through to the unique heart of each one of us. Anyone who met him, even just for a short encounter on the street felt his warmth, wisdom and the love he emanated.
David was also an avid supporter of local social & political causes and often donated his artistic skills to make these causes more visible & further their efforts. At the end of his life Sisko was most concerned about the well-being of our unhoused neighbors in Chico and was interviewed by the Chico Enterprise Record recently regarding the moving of unhoused neighbors near his home by little Chico Creek. He will be greatly missed, however his art will live on…
Sisko was Inspired by the Pop Art of Keith Haring, the Surrealist and Dada artist ManRay and David Byrne of the Talking Heads. He was known to say that David Byrne’s music was a musical expression of his own art and philosophy. Sisko was a passionate and prolific artist, never laying aside his passion and drive for expression. Sisko’s art was well known for its thought provoking and spiritually engaging content, always making art to bring us into his philosophical world. He was the main artist among many who were housed and showed work at the 24hr Drive By Gallery, which existed for 20 years on 7th Street in downtown Chico. The gallery hosted the well known Community Art event which he created with his son Jebediah and Titus Woods. The Puzzle Show invited local artists from ages 272 to participate and raised funds to support local young artists.
In the words of Sisko... “anything is possible, everything is optional & nothing isn’t sacred” A celebration of life will be held on May 15th in Chico, CA: location TBD. (Recognizably there will be limited capacity for this event and so if anyone wants to write a story or remembrance of Sisko, that would be meaningful to the family, and can be sent to elodiesisk@gmail.com)