Canadian Artists Support Accessible Arts Education at Splash Auction

Arts Umbrella is excited to announce that its 42nd annual Splash Art Auction will be held on Saturday, October 5, at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. This highly anticipated event, presented by Nicola Wealth and co-chaired by Christie Garofalo and Bruce Munro Wright, is the cornerstone of the not-for-profit organization’s fundraising efforts. The auction’s proceeds are dedicated to ensuring that every young person, regardless of their economic or social background, has access to a top-notch arts education.

While the event itself is fully booked, art enthusiasts and supporters have the chance to engage with the 2024 Splash Art Collection in several ways. The collection, featuring 90 donated pieces from both established and emerging Canadian artists, includes a notable new work by Dana Claxton titled Headdress – Shadae and her Girlz, valued at $100,000. This piece is currently being showcased at The Armory Show in New York City. Other celebrated contributors include Marie Khouri, Douglas Coupland, Graham Gillmore, Maru Aponte, Ron Moppett, Andy Dixon, Shuvinai Ashoona, and Meryl McMaster.

This year’s Splash event will also be broadcast live, allowing audiences across Canada and beyond to participate from home. The evening will be filled with inspiring performances from the Arts Umbrella Dance Company and the Pre-Professional Musical Theatre Troupe. The event will be hosted by Fred Lee and Gloria Macarenko, with Hank Bull returning to lead the live auction and donate one of his own eye-catching art pieces.

Paul Larocque, CEO of Arts Umbrella, expressed his gratitude: “We are deeply thankful for the ongoing generosity of the art community. Their support, along with that of our sponsors, donors, and guests, makes it possible for us to provide transformative arts education to young people. Every contribution helps us continue this vital work.”

This year’s Splash Art Auction also benefits from expanded volunteer support in Calgary and Toronto, in addition to its strong base in Vancouver. Arts Umbrella’s growing national presence aims to raise awareness about the impact of the arts and secure further funding for its mission.

Although tickets for the event are sold out, there are several ways for the community to get involved:

Bid on Art: The Splash Online Auction is now open for bidding. Explore and bid on pieces from the 2024 collection through the online platform.
Preview the Collection: Visit the Pendulum Gallery in downtown Vancouver from September 9 to October 3 to view the collection. Engage with the exhibits through talks and tours on September 20 and 25.
Watch Online: Enjoy the live broadcast of the Splash Art Auction from home. The event will be streamed for free.
Donate: Support Arts Umbrella’s mission by donating online. Your contributions help provide bursaries and free community programs to about 20,000 young people annually.
Stay Updated: Sign up for Arts Umbrella’s e-newsletter to receive updates on events, open houses, and more.