Lois Raw’s family started their association with the Highlands in 1938 or 39 when they purchased a cottage resort called Kushog Heights that was located, strange as it may seem, on what is now known as Lake Kashagawigamog. Other members of the family, including Lois’ grandparents, purchased property in the surrounding area.  Lois took possession of her grandparents cottage and owned it until 2001.

When she retired she felt the strongest connection to the Haliburton Highlands. She realized she could not live in the cottage as it was not equipped to meet the demands of our Canadian winters. So, she searched for property and found the former school house that she now lives and works in. Interesting that a teacher should now live in this abandonned school house.

When the Haliburton School of the Arts first opened Lois began to take art classes. She states that “this community is a wonderful place to be an artist. It has a rich and deep artistic background and lots of variety and expertise from which to draw”. She notes that the curators at both the Rails End Gallery and Art Centre and the Agnes Jamieson Gallery have been very encouraging to her, giving her opportunities for exhibition of her work. She has won many awards for her pastels, including the Abstract Award from the Pastel Artists of Canada 

In addition to being a pastel painter she is an active participant in the performing arts faction of this community. She is a member of the Highland Festival Singers, takes piano lessons, and volunteers to assist in the creation of scenery for the Highlands Summer Theatre. She loves the Haliburton Concert Series.

Lois is currently working on a series of paintings of local Haliburton Highlands musicians. One of them, a picture of Albert Saxby, is featured in the MadeInHaliburton.ca exhibit that opens on April 7, 2012 at the Art Hive.