OFF THE WALL IDEA: Most charities canvas artists for their fundraising efforts. And they are generally the same artists. Concerned about taxing the very people the Gordon and Marion Smith Foundation aims to support, board member Richard Savage proposed a new idea. He invited collectors that understand the art world to donate a piece from their own personal collection to his 鈥淥ff the Wall鈥� fundraiser. The result was 14 pieces on the auction block looking for new homes. The inaugural Off the Wall wingding held at The Permanent attracted a community of art appreciators, art collectors and art enablers to the art sale hosted by yours truly and orchestrated by veteran auctioneer Barry Scott. Works by Douglas Coupland, Rodney Graham and Paul Wong were quickly snapped up contributing to the more than $125,000 raised for the foundation and its many art-focused services and programs.
WORTH THE WAIT: After a three-week storm delay, Arts Umbrella鈥檚 34th Splash Art Auction went off at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Art enthusiasts rearranged their schedules to support the preeminent performing arts organization for young people. Some 100 hundred B.C. artists put their best works forward for the yearly auction event sponsored by Blake, Cassels & Graydon, and the TD Bank Group. A mainstay of the gala for the past 33 years, retired auctioneer Barry Scott was honoured for his contributions to the organization, selling off $5 million worth of fine art during his tenure. This year Hank Bull and Bruce Wright assumed the gavel in a spirited live auction that saw paddles wagging. Along with ticket sales, sponsorships and outright gifts of $10,000 from David and Pamela Richardson, Dana and John Montalbano and a $50,000 pledge from Scott himself, the fundraiser lived up to its name, raising a reported $500,000 for the venerable arts institution that serves 22,000 kids in the Metro 麻豆传媒映画area annually.
ME TO WE: WE DAY: 麻豆传媒映画brings together world-renowned speakers, A-list performers, and thousands of youth to celebrate a year of action that transformed communities and changed lives. Paula Abdul, Margaret Trudeau, George Takei, Jacob Hoggard, Tyler Shaw and Serena Ryder were among an all-star cast that convened to share the message of kindness, giving back and paying it forward.
Hear Fred Mondays 8:20am on CBC Radio鈥檚 The Early Edition AM690 and 88.1FM;Email: [email protected]; Twitter: @FredAboutTown
