By Ashley Janes
Morinville – On Friday, Sept. 27, the Morinville Community Cultural Centre will play host to the fourth annual Celebrating Life and Art Gala. The event raises funds for the Sturgeon Community Hospital by allowing local artists to sell their work to the public. Both a percentage of the art sales and a portion of the ticket sales will go toward purchasing equipment enhancements and programs at the local hospital.
Past foundation head and organizer Noreen Radford initiated the event four years ago. Radford said she had wanted to create a fundraiser that encouraged local artists and give back to the community. “At the onset, I had the opportunity to meet with Sturgeon Community Hospital’s event planner, Mr. Doug Campbell,” Radford explained. “I was interested in promoting student and adult art within the community of Morinville, primarily to be showcased at a special event. Since Mr. Campbell was involved in committees that met this vision, it was a right fit from the start.”
Today, Radford says she is happy with the outcome of this partnership. “My primary focus was to have a venue that allowed students to display their work, create an artists’ statement, put a price on their pieces, speak to it, and perhaps sell it. This has been done. My secondary focus was to ensure that the profits from this event went to a cause that benefited all the residents of Morinville. The Sturgeon Community Hospital Foundation does this. I am very pleased with everything we’ve done.” A part of that satisfaction is related to the fact that, in the last three years, the Celebrating Life and Art Gala has raised between ten and twelve thousand dollars for the community hospital. Each following year became a greater success than the previous and Radford hopes this September will be no different.
The theme for the 2013 Life and Art Gala is Paint the Town Red in honour of supporting Canadian military troops. The evening will begin with a champagne reception, with non-alcoholic beverages and hor d’oeuvres also provided. Guests will be able to view and purchase the showcased artwork which Radford said includes collographs, drawings, paintings, photographs mixed media, and sculpture, however the pieces will not be limited to those techniques. Additionally, she revealed that the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Drum Line will be performing. “The Drum Line has recently been revived as the 100th Anniversary of the P.P.C.L.I. approaches in 2014. They will be performing a stick drill under florescent black light. This will be something that guests will remember.”
Radford promises a fun and fulfilling evening out, socializing with members of the community and contributing to a worthy cause. If you are interested in attending this year’s Celebrating Life and Art Gala, tickets are only $35 and can be found at Bumper-to-Bumper and the Free Press. Doors open at 7 p.m.
