Author: Judy Barlow, Citizen Journalist  

          “You’re never too old and you never stop learning.”  That’s local artist Gloria Heinekey explaining her philosophy of life. As a teenager Gloria loved art, but over the years it seemed there was never enough time nor money to pursue it. Almost forty years later, she revived her passion for painting and is now sharing it for the first time ever – at this year’s SaanichFair.

     Renowned collector of native art, C. McNab Craig, says, “She’s a female version of Thomas Kinkade. I think it’s wonderful that she’s entering the fair. It’s good for her self-esteem and confidence.”

     About ten years ago Gloria started sitting in on art classes with Chilliwack artist Dawn Carr, although she’s only taken painting seriously in the last seven years.  Even so, “I paint for the fun of it; I love, love, love painting landscapes – and water. I love painting water – and flowers – and mountains,” she enthuses.   And there’s an unexpected benefit. “It brings down my blood pressure.”

     But it’s evident the paintings just ‘hang around’ as canvases materialize from under the bed, behind the sofa, and out in the garage.

     “I never considered painting as a career. I don’t have a gallery,” Gloria notes. “I don’t even really have room around here.” She’s never sold her paintings, although she has given many away. She doesn’t display them anywhere– not even in her own home.

     So what persuaded her to finally put her work ‘out there’ after a decade of private dabbling, where 45,000 of her soon-to-be best friends can take a gander at it? “My family has been after me for years to show my paintings – my sister in particular.”

     After years of hearing how good her paintings are, she finally decided, “I just want people to be able to enjoy them, to see my paintings too. A painting is not like a photograph … It’s more. It’s something that comes from the heart.” When Gloria heard how easy it would be to enter the Saanich Fair she actually thought it sounded like fun. Always up for a laugh, she selected her favourites and submitted her choices for the fair before she could scare herself out of doing it.

     Now just how easy is it to submit an entry in the Saanich Fair?

     The process is surprisingly simple. The first Saanich Fair was held in 1868, so after more than 140 years, with an average of 10,000 or so entries annually in everything from poetry to pottery and beer to beef (and of course The Great Canadian Duct Tape Contest), it’s practically child’s play to get your entry placed in just the right category. Good thing too, because in many cases entries are submitted by children. There are also special categories for persons with disabilities, seniors, and 4-H Club. While entry fees vary, in many cases it’s a token fifty cents per entry. Five staff and more than 500 volunteers, some in their 80s and 90s keep things running smoothly, not just during the fair, but all year round.

     As of this writing Gloria’s chewing her nails down to the quick in nervous anticipation. But what’s in her future after the fair?

     Well, since moving back to the Island last year Gloria has missed painting and singing with her friends. “I used to sing with a band and we went all over the Fraser Valley, singing in seniors homes and so on. I haven’t really looked into the music here yet, but I’m definitely going to be looking into music again. Music is in your soul – music and painting. I like music – I dance – I do Hawaiian dancing and I did belly dancing.”

     Otherwise retired and living on a pension, Gloria recently parlayed her daily work-out at Curves into a part-time job, generating enough mad money for coffee (aka ‘therapy with the girls’) after her work-out every day. “I don’t do the zumba at Curves because when they’re doing it I’m working, but I tell you one thing – I’m dancing behind the scenes,” she smiles mischievously.

     And that’s how she’s done it for the past decade – behind the scenes; but not this year. This year she’s going to the fair, because, “you’re never too old.”

     Visit www.saanichfair.ca to find out more about this year’s fair, September 3 – 5. and how you can enter.

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