Here I am just before the opening of "Little Gems Fundraiser Show" at the Community Arts Council in Victoria. The arts have suffered such debilitating funding cuts, that the arts of Victoria have donated works for a show to raise money to keep the Council alive. I'm standing beside my Mexican themed painting 'Salsa!'
I took this shot just as the first few artists and patons started to arrive. It was a truly wonderful evening and many red dots began to appear.
Victoria's Art Critic Robert Amos performed a very spirited reading from James Joyce's Ulysses, which brought much laughter to the room. A much acclaimed artist himself, Robert also donated a work to the show.
Victoria's Art Icon Pat Martin Bates regaled us with a story from her youth, a reading from her autobiography
"It Is I Patricia". Pat is an internationally acclaimed artist, who is literally part of the art history of British Columbia. She is a huge advocate for the arts and is tireless in her efforts. It is such an honour to have a piece of my work hanging in a show with work by Pat Martin Bates. The show continues through November 17, at the CAC, in Sussex Court at Fort and Douglas. So if you are in the area, drop by and take advantage of purchasing a piece of original artwork by a local artist for yourself or perhaps a gift for someone, and at the same time supporting the arts in Victoria.
