Persistent Passion: The Art of Lora Eberly Ballou

A solo exhibition introducing the art and celebrating the life of Lora Eberly Ballou, 1870-1976.  Featuring a collection of over 30 floral arrangements and landscape oil paintings; an assemblage of personal effects; and a historical  timeline documenting her 106 year life.  Old Town Hall Museum, 175 Atlantic Street, Stamford, CT.  September 27, 2012 – January 31, 2013. VIP Opening night reception, rsvp required: 6 – 8pm and Public reception follows immediately from 7 – 9pm. Gallery hours: Wed, Thurs, Fri, noon- 6 pm. Check website for weekend hours, guided tours and art lectures. www.LoraBallou.com  For more information call 203 977 8203

Lora Eberly Ballou was born in 1870. Queen Victoria was halfway through her reign,  and Lora’s parents were discussing the assassination of President Lincoln and the Civil War.  Ulysses S. Grant was President of the United States, women could not vote and the horse and buggy was the family car.  By the time of her death in October of 1976, Ballou had witnessed: the Spanish-American War; World Wars I and II; the Korean and Vietnam conflicts; the inventions of the telephone, light bulb, and plastics; women gaining the right to vote and access to equal pay; minorities achieving civil rights and in transportation the mass producing of automobiles, commercial airlines and a spaceship landing men on the moon.  'She was a women who was, at one and the same time, both of her time and ahead of her time; on the one hand, comfortable with her 'traditional' life but always creating room for her 'aspirational' life', writes Sophia Gevas in her essay, A Persistent Passion: The Art of Eberly Ballou, 1870-1976.  “Lora created hundreds of paintings in her life time when it was difficult for any woman to pursue a passion for her painting, and as the world dramatically changed around her, she spent much of her 106 years doing the thing she most loved-creating images of her surroundings on canvas. “

Lora gave many of her paintings away to friends, hospitals and museums. Over 30 paintings are still in the possession of her grandson, Stamford resident, Bob Phillips who has, along with his wife, Pat, generously sponsored the three month exhibit.  “The genesis for this exhibition came while attending the celebration of Governor-elect Malloy at the restored Old Town Hall.  My wife Pat commented on its appropriateness as an art gallery and the benefit to Stamford Downtown if it became an exhibition hall. That night Lora Eberly Ballou-artist materialized as we reevaluated her paintings for a public viewing” These paintings, beautifully restored by Sandy Labriola, owner of Labriola Frame and Art Gallery will be on display along with an assemblage of personal effects and a historical timeline documenting her life. Information on tours, lectures and workshops can be found at
www.LoraBallou.com or call 203 977 8203.


PERSISTENT PASSION: The Art of Lora Eberly Ballou is sponsored by Robert M. and Patricia C. Phillips and supported by the City of Stamford, Michael A. Pavia, Mayor and Old Town Hall Redevelopment Agency; co curated by Valerie Cooper, Art Consultant and Appraiser and Lina Morielli, Artist/Arts Advocate.   Exhibit catalogue essay by Sophia Gevas.  Art Restoration by Labriola Frame and Art Gallery, graphics by Connacher Design