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A woman whose artwork was inspired by the people and places she visited in northern Saskatchewan has passed away.
Kathie Bird was 67. According to a statement from her family, she was surrounded by loving family when she died peacefully in hospital on Jan. 20.
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Bird was well respected by those in the province’s art community for her artistry, poetry and writing. She was a long-time member and co-chair of the Kyla Art Group in Prince Albert.
Her artwork portrayed love and community in the north, and the humanity she saw in marginalized groups and people.
“Sharing energies” by Kathie Bird. (kathiebird.com)
Kim Morrall met Bird through the arts community several years ago.
“You could not be an artist in Prince Albert and not know who Kathie was. Her beautiful, unique art always stood out from the rest and I was a great admirer of her talent,” she said.
“Her amazing talent matched her personality. She was a caring person who always inquired about your wellbeing, she gave great advice, and she consistently provided support and positivity to all. The art world shines a little less without Kathie. I will greatly miss her calm, warm presence and am truly saddened that we will no longer be able to experience her wonderful talent.”
Annette Henbid also knew Bird through the Kyla Art Group. The two friends met in 2005.
“She always struck me as a calm presence during the chaos of a room full of artists setting up a show. After we all have the show set I enjoy trying to guess which pieces were done by which artists and Kathie would often surprise me with new mediums and styles,” she said.
Kathie Bird with one of her grandchildren. (Facebook)
Jesse Campbell, interim artistic director at the Mann Art Gallery, said Bird’s passing is a shock to the arts community and to many neighbours and friends.
“I worked with Kathie a fair bit. She was a member and regular visitor at the Mann Art Gallery; we worked on her exhibition In the Margins together (shown in 2018 at the John V. Hicks Gallery); and we have three artworks by her in the permanent collection at the gallery. She contributed significantly to the artistic heritage of Prince Albert.”
Nicole Rancourt met Bird over 20 years ago, and considered her a close friend.
“She made a lasting impression on me. Her non-judgmental, calming presence was truly inspiring. You could feel her passion every time she spoke about supporting people through their healing journeys,” Rancourt said, adding Bird touched countless lives with her compassion, wisdom and gentle strength.
“Her impact will continue to live on in the many people she guided, mentored, and cared for. She will be deeply missed.”
Bird was a mental health therapist, dedicated to helping people. Her early-life connection to northern communities and the people within them prompted her to seek work in some of those communities during her career.
Kathie Bird at the opening of one of her many exhibitions. (paNOW)
Bird was also a loving mother and wife and had an especially close bond with her grandchildren.
Sharie Bird, Kathie’s oldest child, recalled when she was a little girl she used to go around telling people her mother was made of magic.
“Even when my friends were over, she was always so welcoming and warm and if somebody was in a bad mood, she had a way of just turning it around and making them very grateful for life,” she said.
When asked what the biggest lesson she learned from her mother, Sharie replied it’s to be grateful.
“No matter what life threw at you, no matter how bad things could get, there’s always something to be grateful for and just to look for the beauty and the warmth and the kindness and you’ll see it.”
Sharie added a lot of people remember her mother for her work, but explained another one of her mom’s passions was travelling.
“She worked her way to be able to go and travel the world and do what she had been waiting to do her whole life.”
According to Bird’s obituary, a life honouring gathering will be held in late spring, when the flowers bloom.
Sharie said the family is considering having the event at Little Red River Park as that’s where she and her mom used to go for walks.
died peacefully in hospital on Jan. 20.
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