Thursday, January 16, 2020
Gallery 1313
1313 Queen Street West
Gallery 1313 kicked off the start of the year with the fundraiser GALA 1313. It proved to be a fun event with a lot of heart.
Just the previous night the gallery hosted a panel talk Grow Your Art with 70 artists in attendance. That event was organized by the Artists Network.
GALA 1313 was a silent art auction along with entertainment. New member Sandra Baron gave a concert playing some Bach pieces on her violin. She is a member of the Canada Opera Company and the recital was impressive.
New member, violinist Sandra Baron
More entertainment was provided by up and coming singer, guitarist Sean Bertram. Writer and journalist Russell Smith acted as MC and interviewed some of the artists who had donated art works.
Artist, Gwen Tooth & Russel Smith
Artist Eva Lewarne (left) with her son & his partner
Artist Shawn Postoff with MC Russell Smith
Several members of Artscape came out to support the event.
LoriAnn Girvan (left) and Gloria Wallace (right) from Artscape
Many Gallery 1313 members donated works for the silent auction. Items that didn’t sell will be kept for the next event and become part of Gallery 1313’s art collection. Board Members organized this successful event which will likely return next year. Local businesses had also donated items to bid on including jewellery from MADE YOU LOOK as well as various items and services from other businesses.
Allison Martin Board Member & Catriona Reid intern
Board Member Allison Martin (in centre) with friends
Art works were sold and last-minute bids came in. A mugshot selfie station was popular celebrating the gallery’s history as the site of the former holding cells when the building was Police Station City of Toronto Division 6. Performance artist István Kántor attended this section as well.
Performance artist István Kántor (left) and film editor Chris Mutton (right)
Money raised will help the Gallery continue to offer visitors the best in contemporary art programming. The Gallery currently doesn’t receive any core funding and like other artist run centres struggles to keep running.
Text and photo: Phil Anderson