Hilda Danks

Details

Inductee: Hilda Danks

Year inducted: 2006

About:

Hilda Danks was born Hilda Lawrence in 1893 in London, England, and immigrated to Canada in 1930. Her watercolour painting began as a hobby in 1935 and soon became a passion. Hilda studied watercolour painting with numerous well-known Canadian artists. Her work was first accepted for jury shows in 1952, including exhibitions in Montreal, London, Hamilton and Waterloo.

Living in the Chippawa and Niagara Falls area paved the way for her inspirational works, largely due to the nature and the people around her. Old barns and rural landscapes became alive in her eyes. She found much variety in subject matter, painting flowers and plants with obvious affection. She later focused on portraying people through the clothes they wore, the furnishings of their homes or the stores they shopped in. Her still-life studies suspended action neatly caught to intrigue the viewer into imagining events before the painting was done.

In 1945, Hilda was one of the founding members of the Niagara District Art Association and held numerous executive positions, including President, for many years. In 1958, Hilda was awarded a lifetime membership in the Niagara District Association in appreciation of her contribution to the society. In 1961, she was elected a member of the Canadian Society of Painters of Watercolour.

In 1970, one year after her death, the Niagara District Art Association commissioned a sculpture in honour of Hilda Danks. Each year, at the Annual Juried Art Show, the name of the Best Watercolour Artist is engraved and added to the sculpture. The sculpture makes its home at the Niagara Falls Public Library.