The Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery is exceedingly fortunate to be receiving the last painting completed by its namesake for the permanent collection. The Hale family is donating the 1953 oil painting to the Gallery and the public is invited to attend a reception scheduled to celebrate the event at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 20th.
In 1962, Dr. Ralph Hale and his wife, Donna, traveled to Lindsborg to purchase a Smoky Hill River painting by Birger Sandzén from the artist’s family. Mrs. Hale was quite artistic and she admired Sandzén’s use of color and very much wanted to own one of his works.The painting, completed in 1953, was identified by the Sandzén family as the last painting the artist completed before his death the following year. With this in mind, it had always been Dr. and Mrs. Hale’s wish that upon their passing the painting would be returned to the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery in their memory, to be displayed and enjoyed by the public.
After 33 years of marriage, the Hales separated and eventually divorced, with Dr. Hale retaining the painting. He married Marian Howard in 1976 and she embraced his plan for the painting. She and Dr. Hale made certain that their wishes were known to Marian’s children, just as had been done for Dr. Hale’s children.  
Donna Hale passed away in 1984, and Dr. Hale died in 2005. Marian Hale died earlier this year. The children of Marian Hale are Steve Glazner, Brian Howard, Paige Howard and Kelly Howard Wilson. Ralph and Donna Hale’s children are Ross James Hale, Myrna Hale (daughter-in-law), Nancy Cope, Allen Hale, and Marjorie Hale.
Through the years, the Hale family had the privilege of privately viewing the painting purchased over half a century ago; however, they have long felt that fine art should be shared and enjoyed in a public setting. Therefore, in memory of Dr. Ralph Hale and Marian J. Hale, it is the great pleasure of their blended family to be able to carry out their parents’ wishes.
The Sandzén Gallery is located at 401 North First Street in Lindsborg and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Gallery is closed on Mondays. Admission is free, with donations welcome. Docent tours for groups are available by two-week advance appointment with the Gallery. For more information about Birger Sandzén and the Gallery visit the website www.sandzen.org or telephone (785) 227-2220.