by Lucie Roy
More than 145 art lovers and supporters attended the Paint the Town Red Celebrating Life and Culture Gala event held Friday night at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre in aid of the Sturgeon Hospital Foundation. The event featured an art show with champagne reception, appetizers and musical accompaniment, wine tasting, silent auction and a special performance by the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) Drum Line.
In her opening remarks Event Chair Bolen said art has the power to improve and enhance our emotional, mental and physical wellbeing. “Our event has art, community involvement, military and culture all kicking off Alberta Culture days in Morinville, promoting a harmonious collaboration between artists and fundraising for the Sturgeon Community Hospital Foundation,” she said.
More than 30 artists displayed work in a wide spectrum of styles and mediums, each piece for sale to attendees. Every artist was allowed up to five submissions, and the event attracted artists from Morinville, Edmonton, St Albert, Sturgeon County, Redwater and Smoky Lake.
The People’s Choice Award was won by Judy Schafers for her work titled Just Getting Started. There were eight artwork pieces sold that night, three by artist Rebecca Bourque, two by Amelia Chiew, two by Val Manchuk and one by Karen Cassidy.
Total amount raised for the Sturgeon Hospital Foundation was not available by our press deadline.
Local artist Judith Clarke with one of the pieces of art she had at the pain the Town Red Gala.
Local artist Valerie Loehde with her eagle artwork titled I’M Watching You.”
Paint the Town Red Committee Event Chair Dolly Bolen standing beside one of the artwork pieces for sale. Bolen created the watercolour painting titled Northern Tear in 2007 to honour the soldiers who died in Afghanistan. A Giclee print of Northern Tears is a part of the National Archives at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.
