BC Business
This year's event raises a record-breaking $540,000 for accessible arts education for young people in B.C.
The gala performance
More than 500 business and community leaders, patrons and art aficionados filled the ballroom of the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver for the 35th annual Splash Art Auction & Gala on October 14. Presented by TD Bank Group, the evening began with a sponsored cocktail reception and an opportunity to bid on silent auction items. Arts Umbrella students also created artworks on the spot to be auctioned off at the end of the evening.
Close to 100 works of art by prominent B.C. artists raised a record-breaking $540,000 in net proceeds to help make high-quality arts education accessible for young people in the province. The evening was co-chaired by Christie Darbyshire and Bruce Munro Wright and emceed by CBC’s Gloria Macarenko and Fred Lee. Throughout the night, guests were treated to performances by the Arts Umbrella Dance Company and Pre-Professional Theatre Students. The live auction was led by artist Hank Bull, followed by an afterparty set to the music of DJ Chloe. The signature raffle piece was donated by luxury jewelry brand David Yurman. A sculpture by Marie Khouri sold for a record-breaking $41,000 at the live auction.
Every year, Arts Umbrella, Canada’s leading non-profit arts organization for young people, hosts a gala and art auction where guests can meet acclaimed local and international artists and fellow art lovers while browsing and bidding for original pieces. Since Splash was introduced in 1983, Arts Umbrella’s largest annual fundraiser has raised over $6 million in net proceeds, all of which supports youth-oriented initiatives, including free community programming, scholarships and bursaries.
Paul Larocque, Arts Umbrella president and CEO; Kim Spencer-Nairn, Capture Photography Festival executive director; and Carol Henriquez, Arts Umbrella chair and honourary chair
Jill Price, Arts Umbrella chair; and Heather Atlas, Arts Umbrella senior director of development
Splash gala co-chairs Christie Darbyshire and Bruce Munro Wright
Elizabeth Blau, Blau + Associates principal; and Scott Menke, Parq Vancouver COO
Welcome Cocktail sponsors Hanif Mamdani, RBC Global Asset Management head of alternative investments; and Jessica Taylor, Singleton Urquhart LLP lawyer
Jason Matlo, designer; and Curtis Bagan, project manager
Contributing artist Paul Wong stands by his artwork
Contributing artist Glenn Lewis stand by his artwork
Sophie Gourdine, Slater Vecchio LLP legal assistant; and Alexi Jones, Slater Vecchio receptionist
Kevin Mazzone, Lazy Gourmet GM; Alison Meredith, Audain Art Museum associate director; Chantal Shah, Audain Foundation executive director; and Murdock Pollon
Kristina Howe, mining executive; and Shannon Dolphin, Dolphin Properties principal
Sophie Lui, Global BC News Hour co-anchor; Fiona Forbes, LadyPants Productions co-founder; and Athena Bax, contributing artist
Contributing artist Athena Bax stands by her artwork
Arts Umbrella students create artwork to be auctioned later in the evening
Warren Wall, D-Wave EVP; Twyla Wall; Val Johannessen; and Daryl Johannessen, Deloitte LLP partner
Tracy West, HFA art consultant; Steve West; and Trudy Van Dop, Van Dop Gallery owner
Dr. Raymond McConville, Care Point Medical & Wellness Clinics medical director; and Joy Jennissen, H+K Strategies chief client officer
The crowd gathers for the evening performance
Gala emcees from CBC: Fred Lee and Gloria Macarenko
The art auction featuring a Douglas Coupland piece
David Bishop, landscape architect; and his partner, Evan Coltart, Polygon Homes interior designer
Contributing artist Marie Khouri; and Michael Seelig, UBC professor emeritus at the School of Community and Regional Planning. Marie’s artwork sold for a record-breaking $41,000
Avenue PR’s Tiffany Soper, co-founding partner; and Gemma Bishop, senior account manager