from left to right: Anne Smith, Sen. Catherine Callbeck, Patricia Schurman, Sandy Kowalik, Lisa Murphy, and Dianne Porter

The numbers have been tallied from the Women’s Work(s) Art Auction, held at the Confederation Centre of the Arts on July 12, 2009, and organizers are delighted to report that over $20,000 was raised from the silent and live auction of 40 women artists’ creations and the sale of raffle tickets for the Dianna Shyne painting, Island Roses, Arranged.

“The Women’s Work(s) project had a number of objectives”, says project coordinator Dianne Porter. “One goal was to raise money for the repairs and upgrades that need to be done on Anderson House Women’s Shelter. We also wanted to raise the profile of women artists in PEI and the amazing work they do with scant resources. We are happy to have achieved these goals.”

The Women’s Work(s) project was able to give some financial assistance to the artists towards materials and the artists and Anderson House will share the proceeds of the sale of the artwork. In the spirit of generosity and compassion towards the women and children that use the services of Anderson House, many of the artists have decided to donate their share of the proceeds back to the organization.

As well, during the week-long exhibition individuals donated hundreds of dollars directly to the Anderson House capital fund.

Audrey Bunt, one of the artists that participated in the juried exhibition and auction, summed up her experience by saying “To me it was a win, win, win! Anderson House got some badly needed funds, the artists got the privilege and exposure of being involved in
the event, and the art buyers got a deal they can feel good about.”

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Contact:
Sandy Kowalik
(902) 368-4510

Picking Daisies by Laura DeGrande

Painting Missing from Women’s Work(s) Auction – Public Assistance Needed

CHARLOTTETOWN, July 16, 2009 — “Picking Daisies”, a watercolour painting by Summerside artist Laura DeGrande, went missing during the Women’s Work(s) Art Promotion and Fundraising auction held at the Confederation Centre on Sunday, July 12, 2009. The 19” x 23” framed painting depicts a young girl in a pale pink hat and shirt and blue jean overalls, kneeling on a garden path holding a bouquet of daisies.

The painting was purchased at the silent auction by a man from Toronto and picked up by a woman that volunteers believed to be a friend of the buyer. Organizers have since learned that the buyer had no knowledge of this ”friend”.

“It might be an honest mistake”, says Dianne Porter, Women’s Work(s) Project Coordinator. “The paintings were wrapped in brown paper after the sale and someone may have inadvertently picked up the wrong package. We ask that whoever has the painting return it, with no questions asked”.

Proceeds from the sale of the artwork at the auction are split between the artist and Anderson House Women’s Shelter capital fund. The artist will receive payment but the shelter will lose its’ share of the donation.

Anyone who has knowledge of the whereabouts of this painting is asked to call 902-368-4510 or simply drop it off at the Advisory Council Status of Women office at 161 St. Peters Road, (Ellis Brothers).

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Contact:
Sandy Kowalik, (902) 368-4510
womenswork@eastlink.ca

Arlene Rice, owner of Details Past and Present Gallery presents raffle winner Cynthia Dunsford with Dianna Shyne's painting Island Roses, Arranged.

Volunteer Maggie Baker lends a hand

Tuesday Afternoon by Lilian Humphrey sparks a bidding war. Sedna, by Susana Rutherford watches from behind.

Gail Rhyno's Left Hand Baggage struts down the aisle

Beti Andric's Hello World

Auctioneer Angela Gallant, Sen. Catherine Callbeck, and Margaret Murphy

Suzanne O'Callaghan and Lisa Murphy

Sen. Catherine Callbeck and Lisa Murphy

Anne Smith, Dianne Porter, and Sen. Catherine Callbeck

Women's Work(s) Patrons: Patricia Schurman, Sen. Catherine Callbeck, and Anne Smith

CHARLOTTETOWN – More than 250 people gathered in the concourse of the Confederation Centre of the Arts on Tuesday, July 7, to catch a first glimpse of more than 50 original, commissioned artworks by 40 Prince Edward Island women artists. The ribbon was cut to open the Women’s Work(s) art exhibition by project coordinator Dianne Porter and the project’s three patrons, Sen. Catherine Callbeck, Patricia Schurman, and Anne Smith. The artwork will be sold by auction on Sunday, July 12, at 3:00 p.m., with proceeds to support the contributing artists and the capital fund for Anderson House women’s shelter.

“I supported Women’s Work(s) for two reasons,” said Senator Callbeck in her opening comments. “First, it’s a fundraiser for Anderson House and the vital services it provides. Over the years, thousands of women and children have used those services… to be counselled and given help to make changes in their lives. Second, it gives Island artists a chance to show their work. How blessed we are to have all these talented artists on PEI.”

Fellow-patron Patricia Schurman echoed Callbeck’s gratitude, noting, “How fortunate we are to have a showing of local artists in this beautiful building, Confederation Centre of the Arts, which supports so many arts in so many forms.” Speaking on behalf of the Confederation Centre (another project sponsor), Monique Lafontaine was delighted to see “old familiar faces and up-and-coming artists” among the exhibitors.

Patron Anne Smith began with an admission: “I realized over the last few years that I was not going to be the famous artist I always wanted to be. As a result of that, I decided not to create art but to appreciate the art of others.” She described the “exceptional talent, diversity, and fine work of visual artists” in their depictions of traditional household work and the reality of women today. She remarked on how women artists of the past, from Georgie Read Barton to Hilda Woolnough, “profoundly affected the culture and history of PEI.”

Minister Responsible for the Status of Women Valerie Docherty was pleased the show would “encourage others to display their work” and was proud that the “biggest benefactors will be artists… and Anderson House.” She said the funds raised from the auction will “be a great opportunity to make capital changes there.”

Anne Nicholson, representing the Board of Family Violence Prevention Services who run Anderson House, praised Women’s Work(s) as a “wonderful way to celebrate women and bring money to a service we still desperately need on PEI.”

·    Bidding on 25+ silent auction pieces is open already in the concourse at Confederation Centre and will close at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Bidding on 25 live auction pieces will follow the close of the silent auction.
·    The Women’s Work(s) art auction reception, which is open to all at no charge, will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.
·    Artworks can be paid for by cash or cheque, and donations to the capital fund for Anderson House will also be gratefully accepted.
·    The winner of the raffle for Dianna Shyne’s painting “Island Roses, Arranged” will be drawn before the live auction begins.

More information on the project, its patrons, the artists, and the artworks is available at http://womensworks.wordpress.com.

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Graphite pencil on St. Armand handmade paper held within 5 ml Melinex archival sleeve, 48" x 36"

Women's Work(s) Art Promotion is officially opened! From left to right: Pat Schurman, Sen. Catherine Callbeck, Dianne Porter, Anne Smith

Valerie Docherty, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women

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What struck me first was the scale of the work. I’ve seen all the pieces in photographs and I know the dimensions but to see the actual pieces is so much more! For example, Gail Rhyno’s Left Hand Baggage is amazing, size matters when we talk about the baggage we carry around, and this bag is big!

To see Monica Macdonald’s beautiful Nourish/Nurture (no one paints yellow like Monica!) To see the size of Christina Gemmell’s very fun Bee Chatty and Beti Andric’s look into the larger than life computer world, has been illuminating.

I am so pleased to see the work of each and every artist in this group. I know some of the struggles it took to make the art. The health problems, the family demands and crisis of confidence. I have been in a place of privilege, like Monica Lacey’s Grace of the Listener, to hear the stories of women’s lives. I am surprised and relieved that everyone came through and delivered. And I am hopeful that the value of this work will be recognized. Thanks to you all.

Sandy Kowalik