Barbara Gillette (b.1940)
Pictured, from left to right:
- Orange Calla Lilies
- White Calla Lilies
- Yellow Calla Lilies
(Set of 3), 2014 and 2015
Materials: Chalk pastel on paper
Location: Summa Health – Dr. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Tower, Akron Campus
(141 North Forge Street)
Blue neighborhood, fourth floor, hallway outside patient rooms H4-117 and H4-118
About the Art and Artist
Barbara Gillette’s Calla Lilies series captures the elegant simplicity of this timeless flower. Working in chalk pastel—a medium known for its immediacy and rich, luminous color—Gillette expertly renders the sculptural beauty of the calla lily from multiple perspectives. Whether viewed up close or from a distance, each composition invites a deeper appreciation of the flower’s graceful form, from its fluid curves to its delicate, vanishing tip.
The largest piece in the series emphasizes the vertical majesty of white calla lilies, rising like columns. The smaller works offer a more intimate perspective, drawing attention to the intricate play of light and shadow across the petals. Gillette’s masterful use of color further enhances these compositions: shadows on white appear with hints of purple, while those on yellow take on red and blue hues, and on orange, a blend of purple and red. The foliage, alternately framing, abstracting, or absent from the scene, adds another layer of depth, highlighting the artist’s ability to balance realism with expressive mark-making.
Gillette, a native of Akron, earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Akron, majoring in drawing with minors in painting and art history. Her work is distinguished by a strong sense of clarity, refined linework, and a keen ability to distill complex landscapes into their essential forms. Inspired by the natural world, particularly her own gardens, she has exhibited extensively across Ohio in museums, galleries, and academic institutions. In recognition of her contributions to the Northeast Ohio arts community, she was honored as Outstanding Visual Artist by the Akron Area Arts Alliance in 2011.
Through her art, Gillette invites viewers to pause, observe, and connect with the beauty of the natural world—an experience that aligns with Summa Health’s commitment to healing through the power of art.
Where You Can See More of Barbara Gillette’s Work
Barbara Gillette’s artwork is featured in numerous corporate, public, and healthcare collections, reflecting her lasting impact on the regional arts community. Her pieces are held by B.F. Goodrich and Society National Bank, as well as institutions dedicated to education and healing, including Crystal Clinic, Akron Public Library, Akron Children’s Hospital, Case Western Reserve University, and the Cleveland Museum of Art Extensions Collection.
She is represented by galleries in both Cleveland and Akron, where her work continues to inspire new audiences. Additionally, the Artists’ Archives of the Western Reserve maintains a comprehensive record of her career, ensuring her contributions to the arts remain accessible for generations to come.
The Healing Arts at Summa Health