Arts Umbrella Celebrates Its 33rd Annual Fundraising Auction

Get Ready To Make A SPLASH

The glitterati will be out in full force as Arts Umbrella, Vancouver’s premier non-profit arts educator, hosts its 33rd annual SPLASH art auction and fundraiser. On Saturday, October 17, the tents surrounding Granville Island’s Performance Works will be transformed to host this glamorous evening, all in support of accessible arts education for the youth of Greater Vancouver.

“I’m thrilled Splash is coming back to Granville Island. It’s been our home since 1979 and is the arts and cultural hub of Metro Vancouver,” says Lucille Pacey, Arts Umbrella President & CEO. “Splash is the one event where people can invest in one-of-a-kind artwork while supporting an environment where children are free to be and create.”

More than 500 businesses, community leaders, patrons, and art aficionados will partake in the gala and auction, which generates upwards of $400,000 in net proceeds annually. All proceeds go toward arts programming for over 21,000 local kids, regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds.

Art connoisseurs and casual collectors alike can bid on close to 100 pieces of artwork by prominent local and international artists, with a chance to discover exciting emerging talent. This year, Arts Umbrella is excited to feature a special commissioned piece for Splash by Haida artist Don Yeomans, one of Canada’s most established and respected Northwest Coast artists, in collaboration with the Douglas Reynolds Gallery and Epic Metalworks Inc. Yeomans’ ‘Welcoming Frog’ is a 5-foot tall, powder-coated aluminum sculpture, which he says has a “welcoming feel’ and is valued at $40,000.

Guests can expect delectable dishes from celebrated chef John Bishop, owner of Bishop’s restaurant, in collaboration with Culinary Capers. CBC news personality Miyoung Lee will MC and host the evening, with spectacular performances by the Arts Umbrella Dance Company and the Musical Theatre Troupe.

Over the course of Splash’s 33 successful years, Arts Umbrella has raised more than $4.7 million in net proceeds – providing need-based bursaries for children to experience the delight and self-esteem boost from a high-quality arts education.

The evening is generously supported by presenting sponsor Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP. Additional sponsors include Macquarie Financial, Audi Canada, CBC and PwC. For more information on Splash 2015 and to purchase tickets, visit Artsumbrella.com/events/splash-2015.

About Arts Umbrella

Arts Umbrella is a not-for-profit arts education centre where young artists cultivate creativity through performing, visual, and media arts. Since 1979, we’ve opened the doors for all kids ages 2 to 19 to learn, innovate, and achieve goals through arts education. Arts Umbrella students range from preschoolers to pre-professionals, taking part in 785 classes at four locations. Each year, more than 21,500 children experience the arts at Arts Umbrella – and more than 14,000 do so at no cost to their families. For more information visit: Artsumbrella.com.

Featured pic: Arts Umbrella Facebook page