“Short Stack | Tall Stack” – successfully auctioned off

Saturday, November 13th was a very special night for me. It was the evening of the Little Art Show, the main fundraiser for the Artists’ Network and was held at Mercedes-Benz Downtown (Toronto). Although I’ve participated in many exhibits and shows throughout the years, this one was different…

This was the first silent auction fundraiser that I coordinated for a not-for-profit. I’ve helped coordinate events in the past as the Art Direction Coordinator for Pride Toronto, coordinated exhibits for Heritage Toronto, and so many of my own solo exhibits, but this was the first large gala where I headed up all aspects of theme, decorations, branding, promotions, F&B, entertainment, artwork for auction, ticket sales, and PR. It really put all my design, marketing and event skills to the test as it was important that it go well and raise the funds needed for an organization that I wholeheartedly support – the Artists’ Network.

“Michigan Central” – successfully auctioned off

From the comments the night of the event and the emails coming in I can say that it was a great success. I was happy to see the majority of the artists and guests glammed up for our old Hollywood theme of the evening, all gathered around the 60′ silent auction table of over 100 small pieces of art while Frank Sinatra crooned on in the background. The bidding was fast and furious as our emcee for the evening, Maggie Cassella, brought the mic down to the auction floor and egged the bidders on to go higher, higher, higher.

The auction was juried and I had the luck of having three pieces accepted for auction this year. All of them were successfully bid on with at least one of them generating a small bidding war. With a starting bid of only $90, the majority of the pieces up for auction were gone by the end of the evening, hopefully making for some happy gift recipients this holiday season.

“Enhrendiplom” – successfully auctioned off

I’d like to thank all the artists who donated work to the silent auction, our sponsors and supporters for the evening, the great volunteers of the Artists’ Network who helped out with the event, our emcee Maggie Cassella for inspiring the crowd, Mercedes-Benz Downtown for use of the beautiful space once again, and all the guests who came out to support their local arts.

I’ll see you all again at next year’s Little Art Show, but now it’s time to start planning the Riverdale Art Walk (June 4 & 5, 2011).