Belle Shenkman
| Belle Shenkman | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Belle Gubler June 24, 1928 Kiev, Ukraine |
| Died |
March 11, 1995 London, U.K. |
| Occupation | Arts patron and fundraiser |
| Spouse(s) |
Harold Shenkman Desmond Smith |
| Children | 1 son, 1 daughter |
Belle Shenkman CM (1928-1995) was a Ukrainian-born, London-based Canadian arts patron and fundraiser.
Early life
Belle Shenkman was born as Bell Gubler was born on June 24, 1928 in Kiev, Ukraine.[1] She emigrated to Canada with her parents when she was three months old.[1]
Career
Shenkman organized the first European performance by the National Ballet of Canada, held at the London Coliseum in 1972.[1] She became a member of the Order of Canada in 1979.[1]
Shenkman raised £30,000 for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in 1982.[1] As a result, it performed at Sadler's Wells in London.[1]
Personal life, death and legacy
Shenkman, then Miss Gubler, married Harold Shenkman in 1948.[1] They had a son, William, and a daughter, Dasha, and later divorced.[1] She married Desmond Smith in 1979; he died in 1991.[1]
Shenkman died on March 11, 1995 in London, U.K..[1] The Belle Shenkman Room at the Royal Academy of Arts is named in her memory.[2]