One of the city's best-known artists and teachers of art, Maureen Faulkner, has added a new colour to her community contributions.
Faulkner was once a student at the College of New Caledonia and it was to CNC that she bestowed a large collection of art books so their instructive and inspirational values can radiate like never before.
CNC library director Kathy Plett said, "These books are a great resource for faculty and students in our Fine Arts programs, and we are particularly happy to get them from a former 'first year' alumni."
Faulkner (nee Morton) began her post-secondary career at the college in September 1969, when CNC first opened. She remembers when the college still operated out of one portable building in the parking lot of Prince George senior secondary school.
In addition, Faulkner worked with CNC geography instructor Alistair McVey to create the college's first coat of arms.
Faulkner also taught art courses in Victoria and at several Prince George high schools from 1981 to 2009. Her original work has been showcased in private collections and public exhibitions alike. She also worked with Simon Fraser University to instruct a teacher training program in Prince George. She is frequently named as an inspiration and beloved mentor for those in the teaching and art professions.
Faulkner and her husband Dave now operate their own company M-Pack, helping people manage their home collections. It was this endeavour that inspired her to look at her own collection of art books and spot the opportunity to donate them into the public realm for broader use as learning resources available to anyone.