Maria Klokkou Arts & Culture Wall Of Fame

Maria Klokkou was born in 1953 in Kent, England and immigrated to Niagara Falls in 1992, with her daughter
Sarah. A self taught artist she promptly immersed herself into the Canadian art world and soon became a well
known and respected member of the Niagara Falls community.
Shortly after moving to Niagara, Maria opened an art gallery on Queen Street in downtown Niagara Falls and
became a founding member of the Parkway Artists Guild. She participated in countless art shows throughout
Ontario and created a hugely popular series of hand coloured prints of Niagara. In 1993, she opened and ran a
gallery in St. Catharines before returning to Niagara Falls in 1994 and establishing a gallery, studio and art
school on Lundy's Lane. Over the course of her twenty years in Niagara, Maria strived to give back to the
community. She used her artistic talents to support numerous causes, most notably breast cancer and the
Juravinski Cancer Centre.
In 2000, Maria was diagnosed with breast cancer. For the following twelve years, she endured numerous
cancer treatments, travelling weekly to the Juravinski Cancer Centre in Hamilton. Throughout her battle with
cancer she remained positive, strong and full of hope for the future. She began teaching art full time to over
40 students and she threw herself into more community fundraising with a new passion for breast cancer
causes. Her art classes were as much "therapy" sessions for teacher and student as they were educational
classes. All of her students learned much about art, as well as taking away a contagious spirit for life that
Maria radiated.
On July 14, 2012 Maria lost her twelve year battle with cancer. She remained positive until the very end and
left a legacy of beautiful artistic creations and inspiration. Her legacy will live on through the “Maria Klokkou
Memorial Fund”, which has been established in her memory.