“Festival of Friends” founder mourned

The Hamilton arts community is mourning the sudden death of “Festival of Friends” founder, Bill Powell.

His wife Lynne says on Facebook that Bill’s passing at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton yesterday was unexpected but peaceful.

Powell ran the Festival of Friends for 25 years, but had devoted his full time to painting for the last 15 years.

He was known for his colourful abstract canvases of both landscapes and figures.

He was also a founding member of Hamilton’s “tiger group” of artists.  Powell was born in 1938.

Photo courtesy Lynne Powell/Facebook