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Raffaella Montemurro was born in Drumheller, Alberta on January 8, 1941. Montemurro started drawing and painting at a young age. Montemurro even used a cheese grater to grate her wax crayons into mud pies, so that the wax would melt in the oven and create beautiful designs. Montemurro grew up in Drumheller, and moved to Wetaskiwin, Alberta after getting married. Montemurro was the owner and operator of a private pre-school from 1967 to 1974. In 1976, she received a Bachelor of Education with a major in Art and a major in Early Childhood Education from the University of Alberta. Montemurro continued her studies and obtained a Master of Education in Art Education in 1984. Montemurro was an Art Consultant for the Edmonton Public School Board, and taught art and music at numerous schools in Edmonton for approximately 30 years. In 2006 she was honoured with the Provincial Excellence in Teaching Award. Montemurro’s collection utilizes bold colours and shapes. She also commonly embedded intimate items in her work, such as earring and buttons that belonged to her or to people she knew and cherished. The themes of her collection come from her own life, and include narratives of religious folklore and literature. Montemurro was a mother of four, a respected educator, and a remarkable artist who passed away on October 18, 2008.
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