The Prints & Drawing team share their remembrances of the late Rheba Adolph, who passed away recently. Rheba was one of our longest-serving P&D volunteers, with 18 yeas of service. In 2019, the Gallery nominated Rheba for an Ontario Volunteer Service Award. We will all miss her greatly and are deeply saddened by this loss – Holly

Rheba was a true free spirit, intelligent, open to new ideas, and genuinely interested in other people. I have fond memories of her Friday morning public talks in the Study Centre. She was open to almost any topic but often chose to speak about 20thc. photographers such as Danny Lyon, George Hunter and Michael Disfarmer.  She looked at art with wonder and curiosity, drawing her audience into a close examination of the object while asking “why” the artist might have done it this way and encouraging individual interpretations. We left her talks as we left any encounter with Rheba herself – feeling stimulated and uplifted. – Brenda Rix, Manager, Prints & Drawings Study Centre.

Always the adventurer and humanitarian, Rheba volunteered to help in New Orleans post hurricane Katrina.  Due to her allergies she was unable to work with the crews to restore water damaged building and houses. Instead Rheba prepared and cooked countless savoury meals for the many volunteers.  

Another time Rheba went to a remote jungle location to volunteer.  She was billeted in a in a rundown house on her own. One night when Rheba went into the bathroom, she discovered a very large snake curled up in the bath.  Undaunted Rheba quickly dispatched of the snake using an axe.  – Barbara Engle, fellow volunteer.

She was such a unique individual — so bright & caring. I made sure to be at the AGO when Rheba was slated to give her talks and always looked forward to re-uniting with her. She had a strong interest in photography and gave talks on the following: Arthur Goss, Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Steichen, George Hunter and Lotte Jacobi. It is because of her indirectly that I became involved at the AGO. My cousin Carol worked with her at CAMH. Rheba brought her in and Carol brought me in years later. She was truly a “Woman of Valour” – Cecile Freeman

We have lost a great mentor and friend. Rheba’s knowledge of art, culture, music and the artist behind the art, surpassed none. Her sense of innately curious nature and high intellect on what made the artist who they were and the what they were behind there art all with an effervescent quality. Not to mention admiring her caregiving skills and true connection and love with her soul mate and husband of over fifty years. On a personal level, as a dear friend I will also miss our discussions, over various foodie meals, and our trips to TIFF among others. – Barbara Glaser

My favourite P&D memories of Rheba are of sharing the night shifts with her on Wednesdays and First Thursdays.  When greeting people of all ages, backgrounds, or interests, her unbridled enthusiasm and curiosity could disarm even the most hesitant visitor and spark conversations on all manner of topics.  Her love and care for others was also evident on a hot Canada Day weekend in 2017.  Rheba and her husband Bob made the effort to transit cross town to Gallery 1313 on the last day of my Queen’s Bush exhibit.   I remember Bob’s warm appreciative smile as he sat and watched Rheba comment and inquire about every one of my images and then Rheba’s attentive loving care in return as they walked hand in hand through the courtyard to catch the streetcar for the long ride home.   Any conversation I had with Rheba brought joy and it is with joy she will be remembered. – Ruth Hartman

Rheba always made any place she occupied more welcoming and full of warmth. I always hoped we would share a shift at P&D because I knew that every visitor would be hypnotized by her interest in them. She had the gift of drawing in the most reticent making their visit special. She and Bob loved music and never missed a Toronto Summer Music event. It was a place where Bob felt comfortable after his stroke. And, of course, P&D was Rheba’s “ home away from home”. Her knowledge and passion leave a huge gap. A role model! – Jane Smith