Paintings Donated To Bannerman’s Castle Trust Fund

On June 13, 2009, Kathryn Grace (Holmberg) Chamberlin, of Walworth, NY, donated three of her Mother’s oil renderings to the Bannerman Castle Trust Fund. The paintings depict scenes of the Hudson River from various Newburgh vantage points. Proceeds from the sale of these paintings will go toward the NY Matching Grant to stabilize, renovate, and reconstruct the unique Bannerman Castle and grounds on the historic, 6.5-acre Pollepel Island, located in the Hudson River , Mid-Hudson River Valley.
Short Biography of the artist: Grace Ritch (Deyo) Holmberg
Paul H. (b. June12-1912; m. Jan13-1940 ; d. Mar01-1974) and Grace Ritch (Deyo) Holmberg (b. Nov13-1917; m. Jan13-1940 ; d. May06-1976) moved to Grand Avenue, Balmville, Newburgh, NY early in 1967, when Dupont sold the Newburgh plant to Stauffer Chemical Company. Paul was part of the Management Package. While her husband spent long days at work, their grown children (son Paul, Jr. was a sales representative for Remington Arms living in C T, and their daughter Kathryn Grace was teaching at Gidney Avenue Memorial School), Grace , a feisty, fun-loving woman with dark naturally curly hair, filled her days with friends, Gardening and garden Clubs, St. Luke’s Auxiliary, and painting in oils. The family room of their Balmville home became Grace’s art studio.
Grace took painting lessons from John Gould in his Bethlehem Art Studio for several years. She was always surprised at how well her paintings emerged and delighted in each one. She never had the heart to sell any of her paintings, but she would give them to friends.
The stress of Paul’s work situation and commuting to NYC took its toll on him physically and emotionally. He died during his third heart attack on March 1, 1974. Grace continued to paint until her battle with cancer began in the Fall of 1975. Grace died peacefully in her Balmville home on May 6, 1976 at the age of 59.
The donated paintings are:
(1) Newburgh’s brick Tenement houses with Bannerman’s Island, 1971.
Canvas: 23” tall x 31” “ wide; framed: 29” tall x 37”wide. Est: $750/Paul Gould.
(2) loosestrife, Bannerman’s Island, Storm King Highway, 1968.
canvas: 18” tall x24” wide; framed: 22” tall x 28” wide. Est: $500/Paul Gould.
(3) Storm King Highway with fall colors, 1968.
Canvas: 18” tall x 24” wide; framed: 24” tall x 29” wide. Est: $500/Paul Gould.
For more information, please contact Neil Capland, www.BannermanCastleTrust.org.

Copyright (c) 2009 by Kate Chamberlin