Her son and daughter-in-law travelled all the way from Florida.

The neighbours came.

Friends came.

And so did those who know of her brilliant talent.

Nearly 600 turned out Sunday for one of the largest opening's of a new exhibition at the Art Gallery of Hamilton.

And all in the middle of the worst weather when movement was treacherous because walkways, drives and roads were as slippery as a bathtub of ice cubes.

It was Ora Markstein's dream, a shining moment at last in a life that has been so difficult and painful that few can bear reading her memoirs.

It was celebrated with music by her son, Igor, an assistant concertmaster, and daughter-in-law Joan, principal cellist of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra in Melbourne, Fla.

Sculptor Ora's exhibition, Atelier, was so crowded you could barely see her sculptures.

People were thrilled for her.

For Ora, it's the most important professional recognition.

She had always wanted to carve stone, but it was not possible for most of this Holocaust survivor's life.

She started at the age of 50 after she came to Canada from Israel in 1974.

The 83-year-old face reflects the strength of her sculptures. They are a part of the horrendous journey she has travelled.

She says the exhibition is the biggest happiness of her life.

"I am a very small speck of dust on this planet. If we are lucky enough that we are able to do something that makes us happy, that we love to do and are also recognized because it is liked by others, then that is the biggest happiness we can achieve."

Her work, 25 sculptures, mostly of alabaster, is finally being recognized at the AGH.

Ora still recounts her memories of Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen, but she has had enough of the stories that have been printed and of the political talk.

The most important thing now, she says, is her work at the AGH.

And despite her suffering, she still has an in-built love for human beings. That, too, is evident in her work.

Her bronze medallions and sculptures have been exhibited in Poland, Italy, Helsinki, New York, Toronto and at the former Beckett's Gallery on James South. But never at the AGH.

"Where have you been hiding?" AGH president Louise Dompierre asked in Sunday's opening address.

Not hiding, Ora says later. She has been working and not marketing her productions.

Everything was much harder for her after she lost her beloved husband, Francis Markstein, 17 years ago.

"He was someone who believed in me and encouraged me.

"I lost my support and strength. I felt like someone falling from the sky when he died," she says of Francis, a poet, essayist and teacher, whose collected life works are in the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library at the University of Toronto.

It was Sara Knelman, curator of contemporary art, who presented the idea for an exhibition. They met. Sara asked for images and was "blown away by her and her work. It seemed crazy to me that her work had never been shown."

Sara picked up Ora in a taxi last Saturday morning and took her to see her exhibit before it opened to the public at noon.

It was a special moment.

Ora had tears in her eyes as they walked among the sculptures.

"I find her an inspiring person," says Sara. "She has an incredible capacity for love. She expresses it to others, as well as in her work. It is rare to see."

Says Ora: "I really am grateful to Canada because here for the first time in my life, I found peace."

Now Ora carves only in the summer. On her back porch. She never had a proper studio. That, too, was a dream.

You can view Ora Markstein's work at the AGH until April 27.

And you can see a life-sized relief by her at the entrance to the Wilson Medical Clinic at 130 Wilson St. in downtown Hamilton.

* * *

Dahlings, everyone should have a pal like the pal of the Spec's theatre and dance critic, Gary Smith.

Charlotte Fawley attended a celebrity auction for the fabled Chelsea Arts Club in London, England, and was the successful bidder for an exotic sweater that belonged to Sir Elton John.

She gave it to Gary.

"It's made of British wool and has a spectacular rain forest design of parrots and gaudy green leaves," says Gary.

"It's fun to wear ... it makes you think of some wonderful warm retreat on a cold winter's day."

People's eyes pop when he says it belonged to the trendy pop star "and now it's mine."

Gary and Charlotte have had enjoyable times at the club.

"When the club let in such music icons as Eric Clapton and Sir Elton John, they would be frequently seen with their pals enjoying a meal in the dark green dining room."

sbourret@thespec.com

905-526-3305