Barbara Lockhart: A true artist and supporter of the arts
Published 11:49 am Tuesday, January 17, 2017
“Barbara was a great artist who was always willing to share her love of the arts as well as her knowledge of the craft.”
Brandon Long, the program director with the Community Arts Center, said it best. And others agree.
“Barbara’s late husband, John, was one of the founders of the Danville-Boyle County Scholarship foundation. With the passing of John, Barbara filled the role of a board member with the same deep passion and tireless energy that John had shown through many years,” said Tom Tye. “Barbara and John’s spirit in this organization will continue to be a deep inspiration for our directors.”
Barbara Lockhart, 70, died Saturday after her battle with cancer. Tuesday, Jan. 24, Lockhart will be honored as one of the Arts Citizens of the Year from the Danville/Boyle County Arts Commission.
“Barbara was an inspiration to the arts community. She was so talented and willing to share that talent,” said Mimi Becker, executive-director of DBCAC. “Barbara was a frequent exhibitor at the Arts Commission and even when she was not feeling well, she would make sure she brought her work when it was promised. She so graciously participated in artists groups such as the Gathering Artists and the Plein Air Artists. She will be greatly missed.”
Lockhart is a local artist who worked in graphite, charcoal and pastel, but also a huge advocate and supporter of the arts. As Becker said, when explaining her medium, “Her subject matter varies, but she has long had a love of horses. Several of her equine pieces in oil and acrylics have been made into commercial prints. Sales of these pieces have benefitted the University of Kentucky Cancer research program.”
She not only talked the talk, but she walked it as well.
“Just about any time the Plein Air Artists of Central Kentucky were getting together — she’d be there, with her easel all set up, ready to learn and ready to share,” said Long. “I was astounded when I first saw her home studio. While a lot of artists create quite a clutter in their art-making, Barbara’s studio was incredibly well organized with a great view. I could tell that art was more than a hobby for Barbara, it was a way of life.”
Becker said recent subjects of Lockhart’s art have included her grandchildren as well as nature and scenes around Danville. She was a participant in the Gathering Artists and the Plein Air Artists of Central Kentucky, and her work was exhibited locally at CAC, McKinney Conference Center, Art of Danville and Central Kentucky Savings and Loan, among others.
“Her creative spirit is evident in her interest in gardening, landscaping and interior decorating as she continually seeks to develop her artistic skills and explore new techniques and mediums,” Becker said member of the community, and a long-time patron of the arts.
As Becker said, Lockhartwas an inspiration to the arts community for her willingness to share of her time and talent to make Danville a better place in which to live and work.
