As UrbanArts adapts to the COVID-19 environment, we continue to develop innovative solutions such as hybrid programming with safe in-person and virtual programs. COVID-19 has also impacted our fundraising efforts and that's why funds raised from this year's event are so important. Our planned collaborative fundraiser scheduled for April had to be postponed. We are now hosting the event in a new virtual format. Please consider all the ways you can get involved and support the very important arts programming we offer in York, particularly York South-Weston and especially help us reach those who are the most vulnerable.
Please join UrbanArts on Tuesday, September 29th, starting at 6:30 pm forthe Third Annual I Heart Neighbourhood Virtual Charity Auction& Gala the event brings UrbanArts together with four other non-profit community organizations. Each charity keeps what they raise, so your donation goes entirely to UrbanArts. Our partners include the Neighbourhood Group, Focus Media Arts, Neighbourhood Information Post and St. Stephen's Community House, all of our organizations combined serve over 50,000 people in Toronto
The event offers compelling speakers, an online silent auction and live auction, entertainment, optional dinner for pick-up or delivery, and much more. The evening will be emceed by Céline Peterson, jazz ambassador and host of “No, I Do Not Play Piano” on jazzcast.ca. and will see community members, artists and caring companies unite – online – to celebrate and support the importance of strong, vibrant, and compassionate neighbourhoods in our great city. Event Champions include: Hon. Bob Rae, Barbara Hall, Luba Goy and Molly Johnson.
Producer and Artist Representative, Céline Peterson, daughter of iconic Canadian Pianist Oscar Peterson has presented concerts and given inspiring speeches all over the globe (including Canada, The United States, Denmark, Barbados, Switzerland, and South America), and manages some of the most exciting jazz artists on the scene today.
Molly Johnson, Event Champion
"Molly" Johnson, OC is a Canadian Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter of pop and jazz. She made history at the Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival, becoming the first Canadian female vocalist in the festival's 17-year history to sell out a show on the mainstage. She has performed for royalty during a private command performance aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia before the Prince and late Princess ofWales, as well as having performed for Nelson Mandela and Quincy Jones.
Hon. Bob Rae, Champion
Honourable Bob Rae is the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations (UN) in New York. Mr. Rae recently served as Canada’s Special Envoy on Humanitarian and Refugee Issues, building on his earlier work as Canada’s Special Envoy to Myanmar. In these positions, Mr. Rae closely collaborated with the UN and the international community to help lead Canada’s efforts to address pressing humanitarian and refugee issues around the world.
Barbara Hall, Champion
Elected mayor of the pre-amalgamation City of Toronto in 1994 and held office until December 31, 1997. On November 28, 2005, Hall was appointed chief commissioner of the Ontario Human RightsCommission. After having her term extended four times, she retired February 27, 2015, after almost a decade in the position. On July 17, 2014, a city park in Toronto's Church and Wellesley neighbourhood was renamed in her honour. She was inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada in 2015.
Here are some featured auction items already donated to UrbanArts!
Sky Woman
Indigenous Artist Brian Marion’s “Sky Woman” signed original acrylic on canvas 36" x 24"
Sky Woman the painting is based on an Ojibway oral tradition about the story of Turtle Island that begins with a flooded Earth. Sky World is a land in the heavens where supernatural beings existed. One day, a pregnant Sky Woman fell through a hole under the roots of a tree and descended to Earth. Gently guided down by birds that saw her falling through the sky, she was placed safely onto a turtle’s back. Sky Woman was grateful to the animals for helping her. Her appreciation was so powerful that the earth began to grow around her, forming Turtle Island. The animals brought forth mud from the bottom of the water, which grew on top of turtle’s back and formed a new land for Sky Woman and her descendants — Turtle Island.
The Artist Brian Marion 1960-2011 was born in Kamsack, Saskatchewan and grew up among the Saulteaux and Cree of the Prairies and the Ojibway people of Northwestern Ontario. At the age of 15, Brian began a nine-yearapprenticeship with Norval Morrisseau, considered to be the Father of the Canadian Woodland Aboriginal style of art. According to Morrisseau, "during those years of training, Brian learned both the spiritualism of the Ojibway culture and the techniques of Shaman art." "As an artist," Morrisseau continues, "he has learned to apply colour to forms that were derived, in part, from ancient pictographs still found in the central region of Canada. While he developed his artistic talents, he was taught to use the meanings of the legends as a basis for the composition of his paintings. Marion acquired the knowledge from the visions of our people and has come to understand our close ties with nature. He has been able to get inspiration from his native spirituality and with the blessing of the Creator, add his own emotional and intuitive interpretations to produce beautiful art.” Marion’s Art is featured in the Prime Minister of Canada’s collection but his most cherished commission was to create a painting for Nelson Mandela, on the occasion of his historic visit to Toronto in 1990. Donor: Anonymous
Man and Baby Elephant
Man and Baby Elephant by Janet McClelland signed original acrylic on canvas 12"x10"
Artist Statement: Janet’s passions: Music, Drumming and Art for as long as she can
remember. Settled now in Toronto where world cultures meet in a thriving arts community, Janet explores her love of colour, beauty and form.
"The human figure is seen luxuriating in an abstract world of lush colour and mood. There are feelings of sensual saturation, expectation and divine yet earthly pleasures."
Janet McClelland grew up on the Severn River in Maryland, an area rich in the natural beauty of surrounding woods, waters, red clay cliffs, towering willows and beaches. She graduated from Hunter College in NYC, moved to Toronto, and through her elementary school teaching, has inspired a generation of young people to discover the profound joys of knowledge and the arts. Donated by Janet McClelland
Lunch with Luba Goy,
Champion
Have Lunch with Luba (up to 6 guests)
A Canadian actress, comedian and one of the stars of Royal Canadian Air Farce. Luba will invite the successful bidder to a fabulous all expenses paid lunch on the Danforth at one of her favourite restaurants. A keen supporter who has visited our facilities and was impressed by the extent of UrbanArts its services to youth and seniors and amazing facilities. Luba who is known as Canada's Queen of Comedy loves to share hilarious inside stories about her years with Air Farce CBC's longest running comedy sketch show and her life as a celebrity.
Three Ways to Help!
Buy a ticket: I Heart Friends $50, Household $100, Gold Patron $200. A link will be sent to you to join us on September 29th.
Donate an Auction Item: it will be promoted through our vast networks
Become a Sponsor: Gold Heroes $500, From the Heart $1,000
Make a Financial Donation. Donations in any amount are warmly appreciated, charitable receipts are issued to all donors.
