An event being held this month at the Mary Winspear Centre will give the opportunity for patrons to give back to the centre while enjoying world-class art.
The Winspear Art Show and Gala, which takes place on Saturday, Sept. 28, will feature a four course dinner, live musical entertainment and a silent auction boasting art from coveted artists like Donald Flather, Virgirl Sampson, Duncan Currie, Rick Silas and April MacQueen.
"What a lot of people don't realize is that unlike most community centres that are funded almost entirely by some level of government, the Winspear Centre only receives 27.5 per cent of our funding from the local municipalities," explained the Centre's Executive Director, Bradley Edgett.
"The rest of our operating budget comes from shows, room rentals and long term clients of ours like Peninsula Yoga. So the show, auction and dinner next week are a way for us to fundraise for the Centre while still giving something back to our patrons."
Edgett added that the art that will be on silent auction during the evening is comprised of two and three dimensional pieces from local artists as well as others from all over Canada, induing Quebec.
"We should a minimum of 13 pieces on auction including jewellery, sculpture, paintings and glass work," he said. "There will really be something for everyone."
The night's four course meal (seated, not buffet) will be provided by Island Culinary and live music will be performed by students from the Peninsula Academy of Music Arts.
"It should be a wonderful evening," said Edgett.
Tickets for the event are $65 and funds raised from the ticket sales and the art auction will go directly to the SANSCHA Foundation — the not-for-profit society that acts as the fundraising arm for the Mary Winspear Centre.
"The event is to support and celebrate the great stuff that happens here at the Centre and it's a way for us to give back to our patrons at the same time," said Edgett.
The dinner and silent auction bidding will kick off at 6 p.m. but there will be a free community reception earlier in the day from 2 to 4 p.m. that anyone can attend. Coffee, tea and dessert will be served and people will be able to view the art pieces that will be on auction.
For tickets, call 250-656-0275 or visit www.marywinspear.ca.