Helen Bellaver Obituary

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Helen Bellaver on Saturday, July 12, 2025 after a valiant battle with ovarian cancer.

Helen was a vibrant member of the Bay Area art community since the 1970's. Finding prominence and acclaim in her later years, the self – taught artist was known for her dynamic, abstract mixed media painting and printmaking that explored a personal folklore. For many years, she has held her professional studio at the Alameda Art Works in San Jose, Ca. where younger generations of AAW artists remember her supporting their talent through her kind hearted, good humored guidance; her laughter and positivity could light up a room. Her generosity and spirit touched the lives of many and she will be missed by all. She was a generous volunteer for the arts, and a donor to many local arts organizations. She organized and managed the studios at San Jose Art League, creating a place for community while managing volunteers. She was active in the San Jose Art League and the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art for many years.

Helen's work has been exhibited at Miami Art Week/Art Basel at the Scope International Contemporary Art Show, the L.A. Art Fair, the S.F Art Fair, and the NYC Art Fair. Her work is in collections at the Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara, Ca., and others nationally and internationally such as Washington Mutual Bank in Seattle, WA. and the Patina V. Showroom in Paris, France. She was represented by Gallery 1202 in Gilroy, Ca. until 2024 when she took a break from representation due to declining health. Her national reputation was in printmaking, painting and mixed media assemblage. She was a member of the California Printmaking Society and one of her prints was selected for permanent exhibition at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Her painting "Red Kimono" was commissioned and appeared in the film Sharper, produced by Apple TV+ in 2023, starring Julianne Moore and John Lithgow.

Helen loved spending time with her husband and children, and her friends, visiting art galleries and museums, as well as spending time creating her work in Studio No 9 at Alameda Art Works as well as maintaining a private home studio since 1973. She loved being surrounded by other artists with whom she made many friends. She participated in Artist Open Studios regularly, and made it a point to attend receptions and support other artists.

Though our loss is profound, the memories Helen leaves behind will remain forever in our hearts. Those that know Helen are familiar with her love for animals, often giving to the World Wildlife Fund. The depth of that love was most apparent in her care for her beloved kitties: Boots, Tessie, and Minnie, to name a few. Her family is comforted knowing she is surrounded by purring and love in the afterlife.

Helen is survived by her husband of 60 years, Kenneth Bellaver, son Tony Bellaver & wife Mary Marsh of Oakland, Ca., daughter Michelle Bellaver of Fresno, Ca., and sister Betty Pedro of Redding, Ca. and many nieces, and grand-nieces/nephews.

For more information on Helen's professional work, please visit her website at https://helenbellaverart.com/

A Celebration of Life is planned for Friday, August 8th at 12:30 pm, followed by a reception with light food and drinks from 1:30 – 3:30 pm at Darling and Fisher Chapel of the Hills in Los Gatos, Ca. Flowers may be delivered to Darling Fisher on the day of August 8th between 10:30-12:30 pm, or personally brought to the location at the time of the memorial. The family home will not be open to visitors at this time. Plans for an open studio or exhibition will be announced at a later date.

Please RSVP your attendance and number of guests to [email protected] by August 3rd.