She is better known for her creations in the kitchen, but now the work of one of Scotland’s best-known businesswomen is to be celebrated in a new art exhibition.
Before finding fame with her family firm’s soups, jams and pickles, Ena Baxter graduated from Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen, where she studied drawing and painting.
Along with her husband Gordon, Mrs Baxter, who grew up in Huntly, went on to make Baxters Food Group an international brand over the past 30 years.
But prior to that, she worked at the Ministry of Food at Torry Research Station and then as head of Art at Milne’s High School in Fochabers, Moray.
Now, Grampian Hospitals Art Trust (GHAT), the Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation and Aberdeen Performing Arts are presenting a selection of her works from the past six decades.
The display, titled Ena Baxter – say it with flowers exhibition, is being held in His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen from Wednesday.
It will also highlight the work of GHAT, which aims to create a better environment for patients across the north-east.
Sally Thomson, executive director of the trust, said: “This partnership in such a central Aberdeen location is a great way to support our strong local talent and showcase the work GHAT does throughout the north-east.
“It is our aim to create welcoming, healing environments for all who come to use NHS Grampian facilities, regardless of age or medical condition.”
The Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation was established in 1981, primarily to help the people of Fochabers and the surrounding area.
In recent years, its work has extended across the north and north-east of Scotland.
Kay Jackson, from the foundation, added: “The exhibition will celebrate Ena’s fine artistic talent while helping to promote the foundation’s charitable activities to a wider audience.
“We greatly admire what the GHAT team is doing to support artists and the fine work being done in creating an attractive and therapeutic environment for patients and visitors to our local hospitals.”
The exhibition will be shown in the theatre’s dress circle bar until February next year.