The family of artist Doris Ritchie has presented the Campbell River Art Gallery with a wonderful gift – a major collection of the esteemed artist’s work.
The Ritchie Estate has made a donation of more than 240 artworks created by Ritchie throughout the decades of her life and work in the area. Ritchie was a founder of the Campbell River Arts Council and the Campbell River Art Gallery, as well as a pillar in the local cultural community, and the Gallery is honoured to receive this generous gift. The artworks were given to our local public gallery explicitly for the purposes of fundraising.
The Campbell River Art Gallery looks forward to commemorating this major gift by exhibiting and selling the Ritchie artworks throughout the course of a three-week exhibition opening Saturday, January 13 from 1 – 3 p.m. with a salon-style exhibition. The sale and exhibition will continue until February 6th in the Gallery at 1235 Shoppers Row.
Ritchie died in 2011 leaving a significant and important legacy in Campbell River. As an artist, she created a body of work that includes watercolours, drawings and portraits of the regional landscape, flora and people.
“We are thrilled to received these works and look forward to sharing them with the community at our upcoming exhibition and sale,” said Gallery Executive Director Kris Anderson. “Doris Ritchie had an immeasurable impact on this community and we look forward to commemorating her vision at our Gallery.”
Ritchie moved to Campbell River in 1959 and immediately decided the community would benefit from live theatre and music as well as opportunities to study art. She set out to make that happen by forming the Campbell River Concert Association, who presented international performers and musicians, then founding the Campbell River Arts Council. In the 1970s she ran for election to the school board, topping the polls for years. Ritchie was instrumental in the founding of the Tidemark Theatre and the Campbell River Art Gallery. She was an inspiration to all who knew her and in 2007 was honoured with a City of Campbell River Community Builder Award.
The Art Gallery is delighted to receive the gift of Doris Ritchie’s artworks and invites the public to view the exhibition at the opening event Saturday, January 17 at 1 p.m.