Gary Kightley (1946-1994)

Gary Kightley was born in Toronto, Etobicoke, in 1946. He graduated high school with his Senior Matric (grade 13). Kightley attended the Ontario College of Art from 1966-1969. After graduating from OCA, Kightley went into advertising. With hard work and being creative and going from firm to firm, he was finally hired by Hayhurst Advertising in Toronto.

Several years later in 1976 with family in tow, Kightley purchased U-Frame-It, a picture framing gallery franchise in Etobicoke. He successfully ran the store until his death. Most of his artwork was done during this time. Though not as well-known as other artists, Kightley’s talent and eye for colour provided to produce striking images of Toronto cityscapes and vivid landscapes. Kightley worked in pastel and oil paint; a lovely combination that seems to make the paintings move. Prior to the small exhibition at Earls Court Gallery in 2014, Kightley had two art showings in Toronto, but he primarily sold at his gallery. Gary Kightley was married and had two children.