Andrea Redmond’s name is a familiar one among artists and collectors alike.

Her works have been proudly displayed at various galleries throughout Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Ontario, and have been added to private collections across Canada, the United States and in Europe. But in the wake of her death this past Sunday – Mother’s Day – from cancer, it may well be a road sign in Upper Tantallon that best pays tribute to Andrea’s talents and love of community. 

“I’ve been here my whole life,” Andrea told the CBC last December. “And there’s never been really something that stood out and said, ‘this is us and we’re a great community.’” That all changed, however, when local residents and businesses banded together to erect a sign at the head of Peggy’s Cove Road welcoming locals and visitors alike to picturesque St. Margaret’s Bay. Glen Margaret-raised Andrea, a self-taught artist with a home-operated gallery in nearby Seabright, offered to help craft the images that would ultimately represent the area free of charge. 

Those familiar with her artistic style are quick to identify her influence on the community goodwill project, which was featured in a two-and-a-half-minute segment on The National with Peter Mansbridge. More recently, as a firm believer in children’s art – she described it on her website as “uninhibited, fresh, fun and thoughtful” – Andrea lent her talents in March to the organization and curation of an East St. Margaret’s Elementary fundraising art show and silent auction at Rhubarb Restaurant. It was with heavy heart, on May 12, that the Indian Harbour eatery shared the news of Andrea’s death with its followers via social media: “Not only was Andrea a wonderful artist whose work has brought such joy and light to the walls of Rhubarb, she was a very dear friend who will be missed every day.”

A celebration of Andrea’s life will be held at her gallery on Sunday, June 8. Andrea Redmond was 51.

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