The gala art auction fundraiser held here Nov. 1 raised over $70,000 for the Elora Centre for the Arts.
Well over 100 attended the event.
Chairman Dorothy Ames said, “The centre has grown so much over the past five years, and it’s all because of the generosity of artists and people who support it. It seems like miracles to me, angels who come when we need them the most.”
Director of the School of Fine Art and Music at the University of Guelph John Kissick arranged for all of the donated art. Each piece was specifically selected with the collector in mind, with prices set to make acquisitions accessible.
“We believe in culture in the community for all,” said Kissick. “The centre offers accessibility within the community, offers programming and education, and most of all, offers the continued importance of Canadian culture in our lives.”
Kissick also acted as auctioneer for the event.
Artist Jordan Broadworth’s work, Cast, was sold to a phone bidder from Windsor.
Jay Richardson, from Toronto, acquired Edward Burtynsky’s Railcuts #4 for $7,800, and also purchased Suzy Lake’s Beauty at the End of the Season #11, for $6,000, which he donated to the Beatrice House division of the YWCA in Toronto.
“This is a win-win situation for me,” Richardson said. “I get to support two of my favourite causes – Beatrice House and the Elora Centre for the Arts.”
Other Canadian contemporary artists whose donated works were sold to support the Centre included David Blatherwick, Susan Dobson, Will Gorlitz, Doug Kirton, Allan Harding MacKay, Laura Millard, Stu Oxley, Cheryl Ruddock, Ron Shuebrook, and Monica Tap.
The final piece on the block was Kissick’s Four No. 2.
“We artists don’t like watching our work get auctioned off, so I’m turning this job over to Jeff Ostic,” said Kissick as he stepped out of the gallery. After ten minutes of cheers, whistles, and foot stomping from the crowd, the hammer finally fell at a $10,200.
For additional information on the Elora Centre for the Arts, including gallery showings and educational programming, visit www.eloracentreforthearts.ca. The centre is located at 75 Melville Street in Elora, and is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. The gallery is opened on weekends from 1 to 3pm.
