I met Robert when I became Director/Curator of the newly established Prairie Gallery in 1986. At that time the permanent collection was made up of less than 20 pieces. Through Robert’s generosity, along with countless others, the collection now exceeds 600 works. Only months before his passing he donated a pencil drawing from 2011 and a pen and ink piece from 1958. The pencil drawing can be seen in this exhibition.
Robert was instrumental in the formation of the Peace Watercolour Society, the Prairie Gallery Society (now the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie), was one of the first Visual Art instructors at Grande Prairie Regional College, and was on the board of the Alberta Art Foundation. Many other clubs and organizations across the Peace region benefited from his knowledge and enthusiasm.
Robert Guest passed away June 13, 2017. I, along with the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie offer our deepest condolences to Robert’s family and take comfort in knowing he will always be remembered through his art, kind spirit, and mentorship qualities. I would like to thank the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie for giving me the honour to curate this tribute exhibition.
