Renowned Canadian artist and writer Heather Spears returning to Shatford Centre

Renowned Canadian writer and artist Heather Spears is returning to the Shatford Centre this Friday and everyone is invited to a reading.

The well-respected Canadian writer, artist and poet, who has lived in Denmark since the early 1960s, visits Canada regularly to teach drawing, lecture and read from one of her many books.

“Heather has been visiting Penticton and visiting the Shatford Centre for many years and we’re thrilled to have her back once again,” said executive director Jane Shaak. “Heather is simply amazing and we’re very pleased she’s going to be visiting us once again.”

Spears is now in her 80s and Shaak encourages her longtime fans to come out on Friday evening.

“She’s not getting any younger as we like to say and this might be the last time she might be able to visit us, so we’re hoping all of her supporters will come out,” she said.

Spears will share her unique and worldly perspective from her creative experiences around the world.

Spears has won many awards for her poetry, including The Governor-General's Award, held 79 solo exhibitions of drawings, and published 11 collections of poetry, four novels and three books of drawings.

Spears was educated at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver School of Art and the University of Copenhagen.

She is divorced and has four children. She has lived in Denmark since 1962. She has held over 75 solo exhibitions and published 11 collections of poetry and five novels.

She has illustrated numerous books and articles and also specializes in drawing courtroom, dance, theatre and childbirth scenes.

She travels widely and has drawn in hospitals in the Middle East, Europe and America.

As a practising draughtsman and teacher, she has thought deeply about drawing and visual perception, and has written a book on creativity, The Creative Eye (Arcturus 2007, reissued fully illustrated 2012).

She has attended numerous literary conferences and festivals both as participant and Artist-in-Residence and has been a guest lecturer at several Canadian universities.

Spears is a member of The League of Canadian Poets, The Writers' Union of Canada, SF Canada, The Society of Authors, and Tegnernes Forbund (Danish Graphic Artist's Federation).

The Heather Spears archive is housed at the University of British Columbia in Vanouver and is available for use by researchers and others interested.

The Creative Eye (Illustrated Edition 2012), is the first of a series on visual perception.

This event has been made possible through a grant from Canada Council for the Arts.

The Shatford Centre is located at 760 Main Street in Penticton.

For information call 250-770-7668 or e-mail [email protected].

Spears’ presentation will begin at 7 p.m. Friday. The event is free of charge, but donations will be accepted.