Ms. Emily R. Oprea

Ms. Emily R. Oprea is a Living Legacy Artist at the Burchfield Penney Art Center.

Emily (Lee) Roderick Oprea was the granddaughter of renowned Western New York artist and architect Harold LeRoy Olmsted. An activist and environmental conservationist, Lee lived at the Olmsted Camp in Sardenia, New York, as the family caretaker of the historic property. In the mid-1990's, Lee was the Executive Director of the Western New York Land Conservancy in East Aurora, and was a motivating force in the organization's founding. 

The Roderick and Olmsted family have been connected to the property in Sardenia, NY, for over 100 years, featuring an 1840's farmhouse and Arts & Crafts era cabins. Lee organized many musical events at the Olmsted Camp over the years; her sister, Judy Roderick, was a well-known folk singer in the 1960's-1990's. 

Lee passed away on April 16, 2017.