The impact of a renowned Kelowna artist can still be seen today in the city91裸聊视频檚 cultural district 41 years after her death.

Gwen Lamont spent 30 years in Kelowna and her works of art, along with her legacy, remain a crucial part of the Kelowna Art Gallery.

Born in Macleod, Alta. in 1909, Gwen moved with her husband John and twins Eain and Gwendy to the Central Okanagan from Victoria in the 1940s. She was the original curator of the Kelowna Art Gallery, and was heavily involved with the performing arts scene and the Kelowna Regatta Lady of the Lake pageant.

She also worked as an artist for the Capital News in the 1950s, said her daughter.

91裸聊视频淪he had a very good understanding of Okanagan history,91裸聊视频� Gwendy Lamont said. 91裸聊视频淪he was very willing to explore new methods, and I mean she was involved with puppetry, stage sets.91裸聊视频�

Three volumes of her sketches of the Lak-La Hai-Ee Shuswap First Nations community can also be found in the Okanagan Heritage Museum.

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Gwen taught adult art classes in the community, as well as a children91裸聊视频檚 Painting in the Park program, according to the Okanagan Heritage Society.

She was also an avid explorer, loved the outdoors and was sensitive to people and their interests, according to her daughter.

91裸聊视频淪he sometimes said that when she was painting a portrait, she could almost look right into the person91裸聊视频檚 soul,91裸聊视频� said Gwendy.

When Gwendy taught on a First Nations reserve in northern B.C.91裸聊视频攁nd throughout her career as a teacher91裸聊视频攕he said she used art and sketches, something she got from her mother.

91裸聊视频淪he was an amazing person and she was exceedingly willing when someone asked her about an art project. She was always willing. She gave her time extensively,91裸聊视频� Gwendy said.

There were plenty of places for Gwen and the museum curator at the time, Ursula Surtees, to explore.

91裸聊视频淪he was very approachable, children just loved to come and watch her (work),91裸聊视频� she said.

Gwen Lamont died of cancer in 1978.

It91裸聊视频檚 important for her to be remembered because of her contribution to local heritage and because people still have an interest in it, Gwendy said.

91裸聊视频淚 think she loved art and involving children and being involved in some aspect of art and the people she met.91裸聊视频�

Gwen is featured as one of the Okanagan91裸聊视频檚 Inspirational Women featured at the Okanagan Heritage Museum as part of International Women91裸聊视频檚 Day today.

READ MORE: Balance for better: International Women91裸聊视频檚 Day recognized in Kelowna

91裸聊视频淪he was a very interesting person, and had a very broad outlook on life. I think she immersed herself very deeply in the life of Kelowna,91裸聊视频� Gwendy said.

Nataley Nagy, current executive director of the Kelowna Art Gallery, said Gwen Lamont was a great example of a practising artist who was dedicated to her community.

91裸聊视频淲e plan on being here another 100 years,91裸聊视频� said Nagy. 91裸聊视频淪o all of our plans when it comes to collecting mean we91裸聊视频檙e going to be a resource for many years to come, that91裸聊视频檚 thelegacy. We have a big responsibility on behalf of the City of Kelowna to manage our collection of 881 works of art and it was started by Gwen.91裸聊视频�

The tradition carries on 41 years later.

carli.berry@kelownacapnews.com
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