VERNA VOWELS

The Organization of Kingston Women Artists was truly honoured to have Verna Vowles as a much loved member for 12 years. Verna passed away at age 98, and was still busy painting at age 96. 

Her talent was amazing and she exhibited her wonderful work in our group exhibitions every year. She was a gracious and inspiring member of the group and will be greatly missed. Her abstract expressionist works were always striking and were enjoyed by all who saw them in our many shows. Several times her work was recognized by our external jurors and this was much deserved.

OKWA is a group of 56 professional women artists with a 28 year history in Kingston. This year the OKWA Board decided to reinstate our student bursary which we would dedicate to Verna. It was to be called the Verna Vowles Bursary. 

We had decided this before Verna passed away. This bursary of $500.00 will be awarded to a secondary school student, male or female from Kingston School Boards, who has decided to pursue post-secondary studies in Visual Art. Students will be required to submit a portfolio and a description of their work and artistic ambitions to OKWA. 

Their submissions will be juried by a group of OKWA members. We were happy to learn that Verna’s family was planning to establish a Bursary in her name and would accept donations to support this project. OKWA will administer the funds collected and will now be able to assist more than one student with a bursary. I think Verna would be very happy with this plan. 

Cheques collected should be made out to OKWA (Organization of Kingston Women Artists) with a memo that the funds be applied to the Verna Vowles Bursary Fund.