Pushing those winter months out of our minds for good is the second annual Spring is in the Air Art Show, Sale and Fundraiser.
Pushing those winter months out of our minds for good is the second annual Spring is in the Air Art Show, Sale and Fundraiser.
Slated to run from April 11 to 14 at the Cochrane RancheHouse, the art event boasts a roster of 26 established artists and three emerging talents, a variety of musical performers, as well as a series of lectures and workshops.
According to Lee-ann Harder, the show’s manager and producer, the Spring is in the Air show promises a little something for everyone, whether you’re an art lover, a budding artist or a seasoned professional.
“We have such a variety of professional artists - we’re featuring artists who sculpt, carve, do pottery, who paint using (different mediums), ” said Harder. “We don’t put a call out for artists, each one is invited, that way we can make sure we have a variety of art on display. ”
Artists from B.C. and Alberta will be taking part in the show, which will be set up gallery-style to encourage attendees to fully take in all of the art.
“We hope people will come and spend two or three hours - not rush in and out, ” said Harder. “We want people to enjoy the experience and the art.
“That’s my hope with this. It’s an art show and that’s the focus of the event. By making it more of an experience, we hope to draw in more people. ”
Be sure to bring in the kiddies, said Harder. A professional puppeteer will be putting on an interactive puppet show April 13 at 1 p.m., and April 14 will give children the opportunity to get down and dirty, painting with the artists.
The main aim of the event, of course, is to fundraise for two charities: the Cochrane and Area Humane Society (CAHS), and the Bridge to Malawi Project. The monetary donations to these initiatives will be raised through the silent auction portion of the event. Bidding for the silent auction items will start during April 11’s VIP event and continue through to 4 p.m. April 14.
Last year, the event raised about $3,000 for the local animal shelter, said Cheryl Wallach, spokesperson for the humane society.
“Most of the money went to the general care of the animals in the shelter, ” she said. “But part of the funds went to medical and behaviour rehabilitation. ”
The Bridge to Malawi Project, known in Malawi as the Kids’ World Outreach Society, offers support to children who have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS. The initiative works with the extended family to keep the orphans in their communities and in schools.
Harder said artists involved with the silent auction will indicate the charity of their choice on the bidding sheet. This year, like last year, the funds were divided evenly between the two charities.
Harder said she’s hoping to raise between $4,000-$6,000 for both the CAHS and Bridge to Malawi this year.
The Spring is in the Air show will kick off on April 11 with the invite-only VIP event. But don’t let the exclusive-sounding name fool you; Harder said anyone is free to sign up online at springisintheair-artshow.ca. Tickets for the launch are $20 and include admission to the show and sale, a drink voucher and live entertainment. In addition, Murray Phillips will be presenting “Home is Where Your Art Is, ” a lecture about choosing the correct art for you and your home.
Tickets for the remaining three days of the show - each packed with music and workshops - can be purchased online or at the door.
For additional information on the event visit springisintheair-artshow.ca or contact Lee-ann Harder by dialing 403-949-2721.
