Frank Shirley Panabaker (b. 1904 / d.1992)

Frank Panabaker was born on August 16, 1904 in Waterloo County, Ontario, Canada.

Beginning his studies under Arthur Lismer at the Ontario College of Art, Penabaker studied at a variety of locations including J.E.H. MacDonald. In his early career, Panabaker was self supported and had many successful exhibitions abroad as well as in Canada. On October 15, 1927, Panabaker married Kay Connolly in Ontario.

In the beginning, Panabaker started selling his paintings in society shows, regular solo exhibitions work in galleries, hotels, libraries and department stores, and shipments to regular clients. Later he was noticed by art dealers and in the 1930's through the 1950's his works were shown in such places as Eaton's College Street and Malloney's Gallery on Grenville Street in Toronto, the Beckett Gallery in Hamilton and in his late years by Robert Koolen of Bronte Harbour Fine Arts in Oakville.

From the 1940's through the 1990's, Panabacker documented the life and times of the Steel City exploring from the Hamilton Harbour, to the Hamilton Farmers' Market, the Tiger Cats and Gore Park.

His most famous works are of Canada's country sides, some of which have been used as the subjects of Christmas cards. In the art community he was associated heavily in the Hamilton area. Panabaker was very involved with the art community being a member of the Allied Artists of America, the selected group of the Royal Canadian Academy, and for six years a board member for the National Gallery in Ottawa.

Panabaker died on February 17, 1992 in Ancaster, Canada.

Sources Include:
www.myhamilton.ca
www.historiccanadianart.com
www.findagrave.com