Barbara Whelan
Painter, arts educator
Barbara was a founding member of the Belleville Art Association, Burlington Fine Arts and Gallery 121, as well as a long-standing member of East Central Ontario Art Association and the Quinte Arts Council. In 1973 she repurposed an old school house in Ameliasburgh for an artist’s workspace and from there started ‘Art on the Fence. The outdoor art and craft show was a 30-year attraction.
Her paintings were city gifts to Belleville’s twin cities of Lahr, Germany and Gunpo, South Korea. Ms. Whelan received the local Quinte Arts Council Arts Recognition Award in 2003.
She was revered not only for her prodigious output but her loose, flowing painting style and dedication to the arts community. She taught – and inspired – many artists.
