The oil painting entitled 'Esther Towler Hale' is a public art piece by Roanoke native artist, Antoinette Hale. This oil portrait of Esther Tower Hale can be found in the Gainsboro Branch Library.

Esther Towler Hale (1888 - 1982) was one of the first African Americans to organize playground activities for what was to become the Roanoke City Department of Parks and Recreation. She served as playground director of Washington Park for 18 summers and taught for 35 years in Roanoke City Schools. Free public gathering spaces with programming that encourages us to engage and interact with each other help make Roanoke a more welcoming community.

Artist Antoinette Hale is the daughter of the subject. She was born in Roanoke and attended Virginia State Museum. After retiring from a career as a social worker, she stared painting full time. Her work has been exhibited at the Harrison Museum of African American Culture, Mary Baldwin University, and the Taubman Museum of Art.