Antoine Gaber, an impressionist painted, will contribute a percentage of the sales of his paintings from an art exhibition at the Dufferin Inn and Suites in Saint John from April 5 to Aug. 30 this year.

Gaber, former resident and director of the New Brunswick Medicare Prescription Drug Program, began painting in 1994. He married his professional career in clinical research in cancer and hepatitis B treatment with his artistic expression.

His paintings quickly drew attention and invitations to major exhibitions followed. Gaber decided to lend his support to the Canadian Liver Foundation following his attendance at an awareness evening on liver disease, hosted by the Lt.-Gov. Marilyn Trenholme Counsell last fall. One of the keynote speakers that evening was his fellow artist Freeman Patterson, a New Brunswick photographer/artist and a double liver transplant recipient. "Freeman Patterson's personal story touched my soul," said Gaber. "As a result of his brush with death, I became concerned that not enough was known about the over 100 forms of liver disease."

Plans call for Antoine Gaber to attend a media launch on April 2 and 3. Trenholme Counsell and Gaber will attend a reception and benefit RSVP dinner on April 5 from 6:30 p.m. -11:30 p.m.