Archbishop Claude Miller of the Anglican Diocese of Fredericton will officially open an Art of Sharing exhibition and sale at the Kennebecasis Library on Dec. 8 at 11 a.m. The event celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) and features 10 evocative new paintings by Quispamsis artist Dale Cook. Her works are based on photographs by the Rev. Marian Lucas-Jefferies, Carolyn Vanderlip and Heather Plett and depict life in African and Asian countries where a stable food supply is often just a dream. The exhibition actually begins on Dec. 1 and remains at the library until the end of the month.

Ms. Cook, who chooses to use her gifts as an artist to help provide food security to vulnerable people in the developing world, is inspired by photographs taken in Ethiopia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. A single painting, sold at silent auction during the Diocesan Synod last June, was the inaugural Art of Sharing event in support of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) through PWRDF. That painting, Silence is not the Answer, was inspired by a photo taken in Ethopia by Ms. Lucas-Jefferies just two days before war broke out in that country. Greg Hiltz of All Saints Church in Loch Lomond was the highest bidder on that painting. He and his family felt the painting held such a spiritual quality they donated it to their Saint John church.

The photographers who contributed to the current exhibition are all deeply committed to social justice and food security. They have also witnessed the plight of hungry people first hand. Ms. Lucas-Jeffries is the PWRDF representative on the Canadian Foodgrains Bank as well as the rector of the Parish of Upham. Ms. Vanderlip is the PWRDF 50th Anniversary facilitator. Ms Plett is Director of Resources and Public Engagement for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

The Kennebecasis Public Library is on Court Landing in Quispamsis. It opens Monday through Saturday at 10 a.m. On Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday it is open until 5 p.m.; it is open Tuesday and Thursday evenings until 8:30.