The two-day art sale of paintings by Freda Pemberton Smith held Friday, October 4 and Saturday, October 5 raised more than $2,800 for the local refugee program, Opportunity Knox. Dozens of people attended the show which was held at the Knox Presbyterian Church Hall in Vankleek Hill, with 30 of them buying more than 40 artworks.
“What was particularly heartening was the number of people who shared their memories of Freda and wanted to show their support for this celebrated local artist,” said Helen Macleod of L’Orignal, who generously donated the more than 40 artworks. “It is clear that she is viewed as a national treasure in this area.”
Born in Montréal in 1902, Freda Pemberton Smith studied at the Barnes School of Art and École des Beaux-Arts in Montréal and at the Slade School of Art in London England. She painted for more than 60 years and exhibited across Canada, from B.C. to Newfoundland and Labrador. Her work is found in numerous collections, including the Edmonton Art Gallery and the Royal Drawing Society in London. She moved to Vankleek Hill in the 1960s and died in 1991.
Sale proceeds will support Opportunity Knox’s refugee program, whose latest refugees, the Syrian Khalil family, arrived from Iraq in June.
