So this was cool - Friday October 1st was the opening reception for
Olive Pemberton: A Century of Beauty at the Fort Worth Community Art Center. Look at the pic above - Born in 1920, she had quite a life including performing under the tutelage of Billy Rose in NYC, along with her sister. She came back to Fort Worth TX, married, and was a member of the Fort Worth Circle of artists challenging "visual conventions of the time -experimenting with modernism, etc. " She is alive at 101 but homebound. However, this retrospective of her work is now on display.
I am fortunate to know her daughter, author Bonnie Pemberton (middle) - and it was cool to catch up with my writer gang (Stacy on the right) and celebrate Bonnie's mom.
Her work is lovely - watercolors, oils, sketches, and sculpture. There is a bit of everything to see.
What's sad is Bonnie told us she showed her mother the collection book. Her mother paged through it, but had no stories. Did not remember painting them. Bonnie asked, "Mom, well, what do you think of the art work?" Her mother picked up the book and paged back through it. She smiled and said, "I think it's pretty darn good. " Rather bittersweet.
As I said, all quite cool. Better late than never for us to see local talent and learn some history.
I salute Olive Pemberton.
Heartbreaking that the artist can't remember, but great that the community does and is appreciative.
ReplyDeleteIt was a really neat show, you would have appreciated it. And hitting 100....dang, that's tough
DeleteThat's special you got to share the opening with her daughter.
ReplyDeleteMade it really fun and we hadn't all been together since 2019. Super special people
DeleteHi Joanne - wonderful to see the work of this artist ... lovely works by the look of your post. Desperately sad though ... shows that we should if appropriate make sure we get 'our stories'. Blogs help - don't they ... excellent post - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThanks. Oh, you would enjoy these people and the evening. Truly special art and collection
DeleteWhat a cool experience for you! She was indeed a lovely lady, and pretty amazing that she's still with us at 101.
ReplyDeleteThanks. It was all pretty darn special.
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ReplyDeleteThat is great you got to see it with her daughter. 101 is sure quite the feat to reach too.
ReplyDeletethanks. Yep - Bonnie sees her mom daily and is so proud of her. It's very cool
DeleteSounds like the art is lovely...but the experience a bit bittersweet. Lost memories are so very hard.
ReplyDeleteIndeed it makes you think. Shame this couldn't have been done even 10 years ago, but who knew? Time is fleeting
DeleteYes, how amazingly cool! Thanks for showing us her art and her daughter. I definitely see a resemblance. Fun.
ReplyDeleteYou're right where you should be, amongst other great women.
Hugs.
Thanks and yep - you would have loved this. The exhibit's been extended. C'mon out! Hugs
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