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West 鶹ýӳartist Gordon Smith dies at 100

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Gordon Smith
West 鶹ýӳartist Gordon Smith in his studio in January 2004 with a painting destined for the Four Seasons Resort Whistler. Smith, 100, passed away at his home on Saturday, Jan. 18.

Family, friends, and fellow artists are mourning after the passing of Gordon Smith, who died at his West 鶹ýӳhome Saturday. He was 100.

Born in East Brighton, England, Smith moved to Winnipeg at the age of 14. Following service in the Second World War, Smith taught art and art history at UBC.

A tireless artist, Smith painted every day and was honoured with the Order of Canada as well as career retrospectives at the 鶹ýӳArt Gallery.

Known for his kindness and generosity, Smith made frequent donations to galleries and was crucial in establishing the Artists for Kids program in North 鶹ýӳalong with his former student Bill MacDonald.

In 2015, Smith donated 50 works of art to the West 鶹ýӳMuseum.

“West 鶹ýӳhas been my home for over 50 years. My work has been inspired by living here and I believe it is time to celebrate this by supporting the visual arts in the place I call home,” Smith stated in a release.

Former North Vancouver-Lonsdale MLA Naomi Yamamoto paid tribute to her friend on social media, writing: “We mourn the loss and celebrate the life of a true gentleman, artist, teacher and great Canadian. #RIP my friend. Gordon Appelbe Smith. 1919-2020.”

Equinox Gallery has announced “a memorial gathering in Gordon's honour will be announced at a future date.”

More to come . . .