Family of Carolyn Heller Launch Online Gallery, Donate to Center

The family of Carolyn Heller, a notable figure in the visual arts community, recently announced they will donate select pieces of her art to the Kate Jackson Community Center, 821 S. Rome Ave.

On Thursday, Oct. 25, members of the Heller family will join the center’s after school activity program for a painting class with children aged 6-12 years old. 

Three pieces from Heller’s personal portfolio will be on loan that day, and the children will learn about her works during an instructional painting class from Parks and Recreation Team Supervisor Katharine Walker-Herbert, who directs the Hyde Park and North Hubert Art Studios for the city.

“Carolyn loved teaching her five grandchildren to paint,” said Fran Heller, one of Carolyn’s daughters and the executor of her estate. “The idea that her style of painting will be taught to the children and to have her art exhibited in the community she called home is a great way to remember her contributions and inspire the children who play and learn there every day.”

The event will run from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Children will start painting at approximately 3:30 p.m., and their finished works will be featured alongside Heller’s originals at approximately 5 p.m.

Friends, family and art enthusiasts are invited to view the works until 6 p.m. The Heller family will work with the city's division of public art to select and exhibit child-friendly pieces of her art on a permanent basis.

In November, a memorial “virtual art gallery” is scheduled to go live. The online gallery will feature paintings and other art from Carolyn Heller’s 60-year career. 

Visit www.carolynhellerart.com starting in November for opportunities to view and purchase items from Heller’s collection. In addition, the Tampa Museum of Art will have an exhibition featuring selected pieces of her art from Feb. 28-March 10, 2013.

Do you plan to attend the event on Thursday? Are you familiar with Heller's work? Tell us in the comments.