In Autumn 2025, YWCA Lethbridge partnered with the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge to find some local artists who would be interested in having some of their work displayed in our working and living areas, particularly in the newest YWCA supportive housing program, Hope. Given the long-term nature of the participation in this program, we wanted to add some tranquil beauty to common areas and workspaces, and Fran Hutton’s work is an incredible reflection of the soft grandeur of the land we live on. 

As the project unfolded, Fran reached out with a generous, and wholly unexpected donation offer; rather than sharing a digital image for reprinting, she has donated over a dozen original framed and signed works to YWCA and the Hope program.

Fran Hutton is a talented artist who was born and raised in Southern Alberta. She graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Arts & Science Degree in 1985.  

Soft dry pastel is Fran Hutton’s medium of choice. By manipulating and testing their properties over the years, Fran has noticed that the pure pigment and tactile quality lends itself to seeing the landscape through new eyes. Colour and light become manipulated to reveal a new way of seeing – especially when capturing Lethbridge’s often overlooked green or brown landscape. 

Fran’s donated artworks will be installed throughout the YWCA building, helping to create welcoming, restorative spaces for everyone who lives and works within our walls.