The Story of Borland Gallery
The Borland Gallery is named in honor of Robert and Althea Meyer Borland, the founding members of the SAA. Established in 1964, Robert served as president while his wife Althea wrote the newsletter, worked on her tole painting, and also contributing her time to developing the first several years of the Association. Robert began oil painting and drawing in pencil and ink after the SAA was formed.
Robert was born in 1901 in Blairsville, Pennsylvania. He came to Silverton in 1945 as an engineer and recorder with the City of Silverton. He served as city manager from 1954 to 1966 and the city engineer until 1975. He remained active as a licensed civil engineer and land surveyor until his death in 1986.
Robert was also a charter officer of the Silverton Planning Commission, a charter member of the Silverton Country Historical Society, formed in 1974, and active in the Silverton Rotary Club. In 1974, Robert was selected by the Chamber of Commerce as Silverton's First Citizen. Robert began oil painting and drawing in pencil and ink after the Silverton Arts Association was formed.
Althea was born in 1911 on her parents’ farm at Paradise Alley near Silverton. In 1929, Althea went to work at the City of Silverton Water Department. In 1940, she was promoted to city treasurer--a job she held until 1970.
Robert and Althea were married in 1970. The Borland’s were avid vegetable and floral gardeners. They lived on her parents’ farm and harvested bushel baskets of apples, plums, and prunes to donate to the Silverton Food Bank. Althea died in 1996.
Robert was born in 1901 in Blairsville, Pennsylvania. He came to Silverton in 1945 as an engineer and recorder with the City of Silverton. He served as city manager from 1954 to 1966 and the city engineer until 1975. He remained active as a licensed civil engineer and land surveyor until his death in 1986.
Robert was also a charter officer of the Silverton Planning Commission, a charter member of the Silverton Country Historical Society, formed in 1974, and active in the Silverton Rotary Club. In 1974, Robert was selected by the Chamber of Commerce as Silverton's First Citizen. Robert began oil painting and drawing in pencil and ink after the Silverton Arts Association was formed.
Althea was born in 1911 on her parents’ farm at Paradise Alley near Silverton. In 1929, Althea went to work at the City of Silverton Water Department. In 1940, she was promoted to city treasurer--a job she held until 1970.
Robert and Althea were married in 1970. The Borland’s were avid vegetable and floral gardeners. They lived on her parents’ farm and harvested bushel baskets of apples, plums, and prunes to donate to the Silverton Food Bank. Althea died in 1996.