Exhibit Shines A Light On Judy Ballantine’s Paintings

 HARWICH – Judy Ballantine never sought recognition for her artwork, never sought a gallery display for the work she created over years capturing the Cape’s landscapes and nature on canvas.

 “A lot of people knew she played the harp, but they didn't know she was a painter,” said her husband, Larry Ballantine, a longtime select board member and public servant.

Judy Ballantine, 77, passed away in late June. Several of her paintings were displayed at her funeral and caught the eye of a number of people. 

 “A few paintings were displayed at the funeral and people wanted to see more of her work,” said Larry Ballantine. 

 Folks will now have the opportunity to view her paintings. With the assistance of Bernadette Waystack, a former cultural council chair, Mrs. Ballantine’s work will be on display in the library at the Cultural Arts Municipal Building on Sisson Road. “A life In Full Color” will open with a reception on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

 Judy Ballantine graduated from Beaver College in Pennsylvania with a degree in fine arts, her husband said. She loved to paint, working quietly from their home in East Harwich, he added. This will be her first public display, he said. 

 “She loved doing it,” he said.

 Judy Ballantine played the guitar in school, but when she came to the Cape she took up the harp and played the spoons. Many people knew she was a musician, primarily playing Celtic music on the harp, he added.

Ballantine said the plan is to display 35 of the paintings in a range of sizes in the library at the cultural center for a month. Some of the paintings will be marked not for sale. He said his wife of 55 years gave some of her paintings to family, and some of those works will be part of the exhibit. 

 “I’m just glad people are going to get to see them,” said Ballantine.