Jennifer Elliotson's painting at Niagara Falls city hall
An emotion stirring painting honouring Kristen French hangs now at Niagara Falls city hall, just outside council chambers.
Professional painter Jennifer Elliotson is from Niagara, and was asked by the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre to do something for its auction.
While doing research, she went to Martindale pond, where Kristen practiced figure skating. "Magically, while I was there getting my reference photos for the painting, there was someone on the ice, figure skating, and it was just so beautiful."
She says Carmine Nigro bought the picture, and immediately told Mayor Jim Diodati where he wanted it.
She reached out to Kristen's friend, Marsha, for ideas for the auction. "Marsha filled me in on this spot, that she knew that Kristen would go, that was Martindale pond. And Kristen would go there to practice her figure skating."
She says there was a battle between bidders at the auction, Carmine Nigro buying it for $11,000, well above the anticipated price.
You can also go to the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre website to donate, and prints of the painting "Last Skate Before Sunset" are available at www.jenniferelliotson.com, proceeds to support the centre.
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