early life and education mary frances pratt, a prominent figure in canadian art, was born in fredericton, new brunswick, in 1935. her early life was marked by a curious nature, encouraged by her mother, katherine eleanor west (née mcmurray), who nurtured her artistic inclinations. mary's father, william j. west, an attorney general and later a judge, also supported her artistic pursuits. mary attended the fredericton high school and la…