The History of The Red Paper Series

The Red Paper Series was inspired by a very special lady, artist, and forever friend of Town & Country Fine Art Center - Irene Davenport.  Irene was a watercolor artist and member of the gallery, who was diagnosed with cancer a year after joining.  She later lost her battle with cancer.  Throughout her illness, Irene continued to paint watercolor.  All through Hospice and right up to the end, Irene never gave up her inspiration – to simply create.  She told everyone that her art is what got her through her pain.  This thought inspired Lucille Nagy Carroll, a pastel artist and Charter Member of the gallery, to begin a series of pastels that were to be created on Red Paper. She then decided to take this inspiration and spread it to others.  She approached gallery members to see if they would like to teach a series of free classes to people with life altering illnesses in Irene’s honor.  The “Red Paper Series” was born in 2003.  It continues to be one of the very best outreach programs supported by Town & Country Fine Art Center.
 
The Red Paper Series are 6- 8 weeks of classes given for free at the Center.  Various artists and members of the Center, donate their time, materials, and talents to participants with life altering illnesses.  Each class runs for approximately 2 hours.  The instructors make their art come alive to people who have never created before and to some who have forgotten their creativity.  All these things are done in the hope that they, like Irene, may ease their pain through art.  There are lectures, demonstrations, and hands on learning depending on the instructor’s preferences.

There are testimonies of people who have been touched because of the series and had the courage to create again.  Two such people went on to become members of the gallery.  One was Bob Martin who was a cancer survivor and photographer.  The series gave him a joy that was missing in his life.  His words to the gallery were:  “ The reason this gallery has survived all of these many years is because the Spirit of God is in this place”. 

Another Red Paper Series Graduate, Linda Ayers-Iannelli, received the courage to rediscover her art form of digitally enhanced photography, after suffering with Fibromyalgia for many years.  Linda wrote in her evaluation of the series: “ The Red Paper Series has been pivotal for me.  Due to health problems, I have been out of working for almost 3 years and only leaving my home for doctor’s appointments and very few social occasions.  This experience … got me refocused on making art again.”  Linda went on to not only become a member of the gallery, but also served as Vice President. She continues to be one of the biggest supporters of this series. 

The Red Paper Series is one of our finest gifts we give to the community.  It is also one of the best blessings we have ever received.