Arts Umbrella’s Splash Gala, October 3, Vancouver
A record $2.1-million was raised in Vancouver on the evening of October 3 at the 44th annual Splash Art Auction in support of Art Umbrella. The impressive sum will support the organization’s now nearly five decade long commitment to arts education for young people in Vancouver and beyond. Paul Larocque, the organization’s president and CEO said during his remarks that Arts Umbrella has worked with 135 partner locations across British Columbia this year, and they plan to expand even further across the country. Government support, he told the room, accounts for just 5% of their annual revenue, and ”it was the generosity of the arts community that was instrumental in growing Arts Umbrella into what it is today”. Their visual and media arts, dance, theatre, music, and film programs reach roughly 20,000 young people, with nearly 80% of them participating at no cost. A great many artists and galleries donated impressive works to the evening’s main draw: a live auction in support of the cause. Every work found a new home, and many, including works by Tiko Kerr, Steve Driscoll, Dana Claxton, and Michael Corner, all of whom were present, far exceeded presale estimates, contributing greatly to that grand sum raised. Hosting yours truly for the evening was philanthropist Christie Garofalo, who has been dedicated to Splash for the past 10 years as co-chair of the event alongside fellow big-giver Bruce Munro Wright. The pair led a committee that spanned Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto, many of whom made the trip to Vancouver for the big night. In between courses, Artemis Gordon, who was named Artistic Director of Arts Umbrella Dance in 1992, was honoured. And later, a group of the program’s talented students took to the stage to perform a spirited piece choreographed by Lynn Sheppard especially for the evening. There in the room making a splash: Arts Umbrella’s board chair Divyesh Gadhia and foundation chair Tom Ferries and its co-founder and honorary board chair Carol Henriquez and her husband artist and architect Richard Henriquez, who contributed a work to the auction; arts leaders including The Royal Conservatory of Music’s CEO Alexander Brose, Angela Elster who leads the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and Capture Photography Festival’s Emmy Lee Wall; Shaw Family Foundation president Julie Shaw of Calgary; and David Sung, executive vice chair of Nicola Wealth, who returned as the evening’s presenting sponsor.
The Art Gallery of Ontario’s Art Bash, September 24, Toronto
Nearly one thousand of the AGO’s supporters gathered for the 2026 edition of Art Bash, the galleries biggest annual fundraiser where a record $1.6-million was raised. The funds will support the museum’s collections, exhibitions, and access programs. The gala’s Honorary Co-Chair was artist and musician Melissa Auf der Maur, whose solo exhibition My ‘90s Rock Photographs is on at the AGO. The exhibition, co-curated by Sophie Hackett and Jim Shedden, also inspired the evening’s rock and roll theme, which extended to the decor of Baillie Court where dinner was served. The space was tented in black velvet, the only light sources being video works by Auf der Maur which were projected onto the inky walls. During dinner, Stephan Jost took to the stage to thank the devoted patrons and sponsors who have contributed to the fabric and success of the AGO during his ten-year, which will soon come to an end when he steps down as Michael and Sonja Koerner Director, and CEO at the end of this year. Later, while dinner was wrapping, the after party in the galleries Walker Court was swelling with more guests. Music performances ensued and happened throughout the evening with July Talk, DJs cascade___windows (aka Indie Sleaze), Uncle Cheyne, and SadStab all taking the stage. Dotting spaces throughout the AGO were one-night-only installations by artists including Paul Butler, Jared Olsever, and Bree Rawn. Among them out for the bash: Co-chairs Josée Letarte and Charles Brindamour, CEO of presenting sponsor Intact Financial Corporation; AGO board trustee and architect Matthew Hickey and gala committee member Amanda Gotlieb who sat across from me at dinner; artist Ranbir Sidhu, who’s solo exhibition is up at the AGO through January; filmmaker Jennifer Baichwal; long-time AGO patrons including Maxine Granovsky Gluskin, Tricon CEO Gary Berman and Canada Goose CEO Dani Reiss; and of course, Liza Mauer and Beth Horowitz, current co-presidents of the AGO Board of Trustees.