For 20 years, Flora Bash of Barrington worked tirelessly to enliven Barrington’s art scene.
A founder of the Barrington Area Arts Council, she organized annual art fairs, created a youth writers workshop and parceled out grant money to local artistic groups.
Mrs. Bash, 77, president emeritus of the arts council, died Friday in her home.
“She will be sorely missed in the Barrington arts community, not only because of her incredible contributions to the arts but because she was a marvelous person,” said Don Klein, executive director of the Barrington Area Council of Governments, the group that helped organize the arts council.
A native of Duluth, Minn., Mrs. Bash moved to Chicago during World War II and landed a job at NBC radio, where she worked as a writer and produced numerous musical shows, said her daughter Barbara Bash.
She moved to Barrington in 1951 and immersed herself in organizing theater, music and writing programs in the local schools.
In 1977, when village leaders decided to organize their own arts council, they turned to Mrs. Bash. Under her leadership, the arts council grew from a small group that promoted local artistic groups to an organization that brought the arts in dozens of forms to Barrington residents, Klein said.
The council now has gallery space where local artists display their works, produces a literary magazine and sponsors numerous shows and fairs each year.
To honor Mrs. Bash’s contributions, the arts council established the Flo Bash award, given annually to honor a resident’s contributions to the art scene.
Other survivors include her husband, Philip; two sons, King and Roger; a daughter, Amy Bash-Rettig; and eight grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in the arts council headquarters, 207 Park Ave., Barrington. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Barrington United Methodist Church, 311 S. Hough St.