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The Jane Gallagher Award will be presented to a local environmental artist as a part of our special event

Nature's Inspirations: Celebrating the Arts

Saturday, October 30, 2004

Find out more here!

Remembering Jane Gallagher
by Lennie Roberts

Devoted CGF Board member and celebrated artist Jane Gallagher died suddenly in January. As someone who greatly admired both her artistic talent and unswerving dedication to preservation of our natural open spaces, I am still not sure she's really gone.

Jane's gentle and gracious manner belied her strong determination and outspoken nature when it came to her principles. She had a wonderful sense of humor, and the sparkle in her eyes engaged everyone in her causes. She was a determined ambassador for Committee for Green Foothills. Her myriad friends found it impossible to resist her efforts to enlist them as CGF members and supporters.

Jane's own words most eloquently describe her passion - and mission -- for protection of open space here on the Peninsula. In the Artist's Statement in her book, California in Solitude and Silence, Jane wrote:

"I feel blessed to be able to make my living doing something I love so much.

"I purposely omit all signs of civilization in my paintings. This is not a one-woman crusade to obliterate the inexorable encroachment of man. It is just that the quiet untouched lands are what appeal to me and what I want to capture and share. I hope it will make people aware of how fast these spaces are disappearing, act as a wakeup call, and make them realize that now is the time to save these lands for future generations."

Jane's artwork did indeed help fulfill her mission, for she generously donated her watercolor paintings to serve as special gifts for the Committee's Foothills Millennium Fund donors.

All of us will greatly miss Jane's wisdom and guidance. Through her art and her inspiration to others, she lives on in our hearts and in the open space of the Peninsula.