Arts lovers mourn loss of leading lights
Albany's arts community will mourn two prominent and much-loved figures this weekend.
Joan May Campbell, who died aged 85 on May 9 after a battle with cancer, and Verna Rowbotham, who died aged 95 on May 11, were two leaders in Albany's art scene and were instrumental in establishing the Vancouver Arts Centre.
Ms Campbell was a strong voice for regional artists and was often found pushing for a regional arts gallery.
Her son, Iain Campbell, said his mother was passionate about the arts and constantly aimed to raise awareness and knowledge of the arts in the community.
"She always treated art very seriously," he said.
"It was more to her than pretty pictures.
"The focus of her life was art; she also practised the art of living and in the end, I guess, it also involved the art of dying."
Ms Rowbotham, who studied science at UWA, had a long family history of involvement in arts and was often called on for guidance, especially in her beloved local spinners and weavers clubs.
Close friend and past Albany Spinners president Helen Abbey said Ms Rowbotham was an inspiration to her and had a great ability to get along with people.
"I quite admired Verna," she said.
"She was an engaging person and she helped everyone, and if she didn't know she would find out.
"She was imparting knowledge all the time, and that was what she was known for."
Ms Rowbotham continued to attend spinners club meetings after she was declared legally blind.
Her funeral will be at 2pm tomorrow at Scott's Church.
Ms Campbell's memorial will be held on Saturday at Bethany Funeral Home at 10.30am.
