Ridgewood teacher remembers Pullins for his sheer love of art

“He was one of those kids from early on that excelled in art; but he not only excelled in art, he loved it. He loved the everyday process and the creating,” she said.

“An excellent student” and “a kind student” who “loved to learn,” Rigney described Pullins as being “almost picture perfect,” to the point she sometimes wished he’d act up.

She remembers specifically his dedication to exploring the history of artists of many varieties – “because (the ones she assigned) weren’t always the Van Goghs.

While he clearly had fun, “I just knew it was more than that” Rigney said.

And, yes, she’ll be visiting The Met soon.