A memorial art exhibit featuring the works of the late Jutta Holota has raised more than $8,000 for the Abbotsford Hospice Society (AHS) and The Reach Gallery Museum.
The exhibition and silent auction ran from Feb. 4 to 20 at The Reach in honour of Jutta, who passed away on Feb. 26, 2016 at the age of 90.
Jutta was born in Vienna, Austria and then lived in Bavaria before moving to Canada.
She painted to preserve the natural splendor of her adopted homeland in the Fraser Valley. She was the founding member of the Abbotsford Palette Club, which formed in 1966 with eight members.
Upon her passing, Jutta’s family, under the direction of son Andrew Holota, offered these works of art to the hospice society. A total of 40 were included in the exhibition, which ended with a well-attended reception on Feb. 20.
Proceeds were shared between AHS and The Reach.
This year, AHS celebrates 32 years of community support and two years since moving into its new facility at Holmberg House on Marshall Road.
Funds from this initiative will allow AHS to continue providing palliative patients in Abbotsford with a wide range of end-of-life services and to provide their families and loved ones with immediate and long-term grief support.
In 2018, The Reach celebrates its 10th anniversary as the centre of cultural and creative innovation in the Fraser Valley. Funds raised in this auction will support art and history exhibitions and programs for all ages.