September 30, 2005
Art For The Heart Auction raises record $42,545 for variety.
ART for the HEART CELEBRITY AUCTION RAISES RECORD $42,545 FOR VARIETY
John Buhler Wins People’s Choice Award; Duncan Jessiman’s Masterpiece Fetches Highest Bid
WINNIPEG, Manitoba – Art for the Heart, a celebrity auction featuring the original paintings of 25 prominent Winnipeggers, raised a grand total of $42,545 last night for Variety, the Children’s Charity of Manitoba. It was by far the biggest tally yet for the biennial fundraiser held at Mayberry Fine Art in the Exchange District.
The artwork of Bison Transport’s chairman Duncan Jessiman -- entitled Tatonka – Spirit of the Bison -- fetched the highest bid of the evening at $4,300. John Buhler won the People’s Choice Award for My Dream, his critically-acclaimed depiction of a tractor, and was presented with a specially-created, ceramic piece donated by Winnipeg artist Jordan Van Sewell.
Tickets for Art for the Heart, sponsored by Mayberry, Delta Winnipeg and Manitoba Liquor Marts, sold out. The event attracted a boisterous crowd of 200-plus who bid on artworks by the fledgling artists including Reg Alcock, Peter Liba, Helen Halliday, Larry McIntosh, Tom Jackson, Curt Vossen, Bob Brennan, Sandy Shindleman, Lindor Reynolds and Sylvia Kuzyk.
With some $45,000 collected at Art for the Heart 2001 and 2003, the unique auction has now raised over $87,000 for Variety programs. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to Variety programming since all costs associated with the event are donated by Art for the Heart supporters and Variety sponsors.
Variety Gold Heart Child Kristie Matheson was on hand for the festivities and also contributed a painting which she created in a joint effort with Hot 103 announcer Ace Burpee.
“This event means a lot to me because all the money goes to Variety to help the kids and it was fun to do a painting with Ace,” said Matheson, 13, whose artwork brought in $900.
In addition to providing the venue for the auction, Mayberry Fine Art donated the paints and canvases, framed the art, and even sent its staff out to coach any of the artists who asked for expert advice.
Delta Winnipeg, in its continued sponsorship of the event and a year-round Variety supporter, catered the pre-auction reception featuring Manitoba culinary creations from its Blaze Bistro, while Manitoba Liquor Marts donated the beverages.
“Art for the Heart has proven to be a very successful fundraiser for Variety, thanks to the generosity of our artists, their friends and our event sponsors,” said Variety’s executive director Wayne Rogers, while also expressing thanks to auctioneer Bill Knight.
Art for the Heart will be held again in the fall of 2007.
Variety, the Children’s Charity of Manitoba, was established in 1978 to raise funds to meet both medical and non-medical needs of disabled and disadvantaged children in Manitoba.
A complete list of the artists participating in last night’s auction follows.
Ida Albo, The Fort Garry
Reg Alcock, Member of Parliament, Treasury Board President
Bob Brennan, Manitoba Hydro
John Buhler, Buhler Industries
Ace Burpee, Hot 103
Dr. Johann de Vries, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Manitoba
Helen Halliday, Delta Winnipeg
Gregg Hanson, Wawanesa Insurance
Winston Hodgins, Manitoba Lotteries Corporation
Michael Hooker, CDRX Inc.
Tom Jackson, Performer
Duncan M. Jessiman, Bison Transport
David Keam, Best Sleep Centre
Sylvia Kuzyk, CKY Television
Peter Liba, Former Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba
John Loewen, Member of Legislative Assembly
Kristie Matheson, Variety Gold Heart Child 2005
Larry McIntosh, Peak of the Market
Lindor Reynolds, Winnipeg Free Press
Lloyd Secter, Architect
Sandy Shindleman, Shindico Realty
Scott Smith, MLA, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
Tom Stefanson, Manitoba Telecom Services
Curt Vossen, James Richardson International
Robert Woods, Earl’s Restaurants