The impact of a renowned Kelowna artist can still be seen today in the city害羞草研究所檚 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.

害羞草研究所淪he had a very good understanding of Okanagan history,害羞草研究所� Gwendy Lamont said. 害羞草研究所淪he was very willing to explore new methods, and I mean she was involved with puppetry, stage sets.害羞草研究所�

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 children害羞草研究所檚 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.

害羞草研究所淪he sometimes said that when she was painting a portrait, she could almost look right into the person害羞草研究所檚 soul,害羞草研究所� said Gwendy.

When Gwendy taught on a First Nations reserve in northern B.C.害羞草研究所攁nd throughout her career as a teacher害羞草研究所攕he said she used art and sketches, something she got from her mother.

害羞草研究所淪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,害羞草研究所� Gwendy said.

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

害羞草研究所淪he was very approachable, children just loved to come and watch her (work),害羞草研究所� she said.

Gwen Lamont died of cancer in 1978.

It害羞草研究所檚 important for her to be remembered because of her contribution to local heritage and because people still have an interest in it, Gwendy said.

害羞草研究所淚 think she loved art and involving children and being involved in some aspect of art and the people she met.害羞草研究所�

Gwen is featured as one of the Okanagan害羞草研究所檚 Inspirational Women featured at the Okanagan Heritage Museum as part of International Women害羞草研究所檚 Day today.

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害羞草研究所淪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,害羞草研究所� 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.

害羞草研究所淲e plan on being here another 100 years,害羞草研究所� said Nagy. 害羞草研究所淪o all of our plans when it comes to collecting mean we害羞草研究所檙e going to be a resource for many years to come, that害羞草研究所檚 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.害羞草研究所�

The tradition carries on 41 years later.

carli.berry@kelownacapnews.com
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