Robin and Anitra Pell were passionate collectors of local and regional artists from 19th century members of the Hudson River School such as Roswell Morse Shurtleff and Conrad Bozenhart (who often painted in Keene Valley) to such contemporary artists as painters Frank Owen and Paul Matthews, and photographer Nathan Farb.

As a means of raising funds for local cultural organizations, and ideally keeping the art in region, as per her wishes, the Estate of Anitra Pell will be exhibiting and offering for sale their collection of prints, drawings, painting, photographs and other works of art – nearly 100 pieces in all.

The exhibit and sale will be held at Keene Arts, Route 73, in Keene, NY, on Friday July 17 through Sunday 19, with an opening reception being held Friday from 5 to 7 pm. Hours Saturday and Sunday are 10 am to 4 pm.

Proceeds will benefit the Keene Valley Library, Keene Valley Congregational Church, Essex County Historical Society, For Ticonderoga, the Recovery Lounge (Upper Jay Art Center) and the Adirondack Film Society amongst others. Featured artists include Beatrice Bardin, Monica Bradbury, Linda Coe, Donald Coolidge, Don Craig, Vry Corscoden, Joan Dixon, Bill Evans, Nathan Farb, Linda Fisher, Boylan Ftzgerald, Jane Goodwin, Louis Harlow, Winslow Homer, Louis Harlow, Barbara Kaufman, Pat Kirmer, Ann Lacy, Paul Matthews, Frank Owen, Anitra Pell, Robin Pell, Peter Seward, Robert Stark, Roswell Shurtleff, and Carter Walker, Jr.

Anitra Pell, who died from a brain hemorrhage while on a Road Scholar trip to Cuba on March 28th, was an active member and supporter of many local cultural organizations including Fort Ticonderoga, East Branch Friends of the Arts and the Upper Jay Arts Center (Recovery Lounge) along with the Keene Valley Library and was serving as a board member of the Adirondack History Museum in Elizabethtown and the Adirondack Film Society in Lake Placid. Her funeral will be held Saturday July 25 at 11 am at the Keene Valley Congregational Church.

Photo: Robin and Anitra Pell with a painting by Ann Lacy (provided).