For a little over three weeks last year, 91原创 artist Murray Phillips sat at his wife鈥檚 bedside as she lay dying of cancer.

Together, the couple spent Betty Phillips鈥� final days looking back at 46 years of marriage 鈥� talking quietly, reminiscing and, occasionally, sharing a laugh.

Those days, said Phillips, were a gift.

At times enjoying the company of her whole family, at others, sharing private moments with her husband, 鈥淏etty lived her dying well,鈥� said Phillips.

It was the one thing she鈥檇 asked him to help her do, after learning she had a terminal illness.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 think of anything I wish I鈥檇 said to her, or anything I wish she鈥檇 said to me,鈥� Phillips said.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 call them good days, but they were certainly rich days.鈥�

Those precious conversations were possible, he said, because of the care Betty received through the 91原创 Hospice Society.

鈥淲ith quiet efficiency and supportive care, the nurses and doctors took care of Betty鈥檚 physical needs, making sure she was as comfortable as possible,鈥� Phillips wrote in a letter of support for the 91原创 agency.

A little more than a year has passed since Betty died, and while the memories are still raw, Phillips is focusing on fulfilling a promise he made to her in her last days.

Before she passed away, Betty expressed a desire to somehow give back to the 91原创 Hospice Society for the professionalism and kindness shown to her and her family.

Phillips suggested an art fundraiser 鈥� an idea which she wholeheartedly embraced, he said. And so last September, the painter best known for his depictions of  Canadian wilderness, introduced the 鈥淩emembering Betty鈥� edition of The West Fine Art Show, to raise money for the 91原创 Hospice Society.

Held for the past four years on the South Surrey ranch of former Canadian Senator Gerry St. Germain, Phillips鈥� three-day exhibit, featuring the work of artists from across Western Canada originally served as a fundraiser for the National Aboriginal Achievement  Foundation.

But with hospice now taking such a prominent place in his thoughts, Phillips has redirected his efforts.

鈥淚 have such high regard for what they do,鈥� he said.

鈥淚t鈥檚 so important in this culture to have support and care for people in this situation.鈥�

When the senator鈥檚 property was sold shortly after last year鈥檚 show, Phillips began looking for a new venue and it only made sense, he said, to find a space in 91原创.

This year鈥檚 exhibit opens at Thunderbird Equestrian Show Park in North 91原创 on Friday, Sept. 5 and continues to Sunday, Sept. 7.

Phillips鈥� overall goal is to raise $100,000 for 91原创 Hospice Society.

Last year鈥檚 event netted $20,000 for the charity, but Phillips would like to see that number increase to $25,000 this year.

The entry fees paid by participants are used to cover the costs of mounting the exhibit, but the artists are asked to donate 25 per cent of their sales to the cause.

This year鈥檚 show features work by  19 established artists 鈥� including Phillips 鈥� as well as by four newcomers who Phillips is excited about introducing to the community.

鈥淲e had some artists who were emerging last year and now they鈥檙e making a living (through their art),鈥� he said.

Among some of the best-known painters whose work will be on display at Thunderbird, meanwhile, is Alberta鈥檚 Kim Penner, renowned for her equine art. It is the first year that Penner has been involved with the show, and Phillips pursued her specifically because of the new horse-related venue.

A Tofino-based artist, Mark Hobson is best known for his passionate portrayals of the wildlife and landscapes of the Canadian Pacific coast.

鈥淔rom pounding surf to misty coves, from rain forests to the underwater realm, the careful use of light is always present enhancing subtle drama in his work,鈥� reads his profile on the exhibit鈥檚 webpage.

鈥淭hese are two artists who will draw a lot of attention,鈥� said Phillips.

Also participating are several of Phillips鈥� fellow 91原创 artists, including Brian Croft, Lalita Hamill and Carmel Clare.

The show begins with an artists鈥� reception on Friday evening, Sept. 5, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Once again, Red Robinson returns to officially open the show.

A pancake breakfast, hosted by Shell Busey, will kick off day two, with the exhibit open from 9 am. to 4 p.m., featuring music by John Gilliat.

On Sunday, Exit 58 will perform. Doors open at 10 a.m. that day, with the show wrapping up at 4 p.m.

Thunderbird Show Park is located at 24550 72 Ave.

The event offers free parking and admission.

Visit westart.ca or langleyhospice.com for more information.