Ruth Lahti was born and raised in rural Alberta. She married, and she and her husband raised four children in the Edmonton and Leduc areas.
While living in the Leduc area she joined the pottery club and so began her love of the visual arts.
In the mid-1980s, she took up her first paintbrush and began to paint in oils, self-taught. With no time for lessons, she struggled for many years and almost gave up painting.
On retirement she and her husband moved to the St Paul area and it was there that she joined the Visual Arts Club. With more time to do things she began to do pottery, paint and sculpt.
During the more than 20 years at the VAC, Ruth taught beginners pottery and took workshops and courses in different painting media. She paints in all media, her favourite being soft pastels.
Ruth has entered her art in Alberta Seniors' Provincial Games. She won a silver medal for a self portrait done in soft pastels and a silver medal for creative writing in 2006 in Cold Lake. In 2007 she won gold for poetry and a zone entry for creative writing in the Alberta Seniors' Games held in Fort Saskatchewan and was published in a booklet called "Writers Catch the Spirit". In 2009 she won gold for poetry in Airdrie, in the Aberta 55+ Games and was published in Writers Write With Soaring Spirits, Winning Hearts"
Since moving to Battleford, Ruth has joined the art club and is enjoying the friendly and helpful atmosphere of the people in the art community.
Art Notes
By Mary Mattila
Two new members joined the Battlefords Art Club Tuesday. It is always great to welcome new artists. We learn so much from one another.
Several members were planning to attend the modelling past workshop given by Rosemarie Stadnyk Nov. 4 and 5.
Dean Bauche is leading a workshop on working with encaustic. It will be held Saturday Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 29. For more information and to register contact the Allen Sapp Gallery at 306-445-1760.
The art club Christmas part will take place Tuesday, Dec. 16 at Pennydale Restaurant in Battleford at 1 p.m.
