Charity art festival raises $13,000 for Autism Canada.
Well known Ontario artists joined with local talent to help raise funds for Autism Canada at the 3rd Annual Foot’s Bay Charity Art Festival. Some of the participating artists are shown standing, from left, Rosa Calabrese, Wendy Cooper, Nancy Wilson, Mike Smalley, Robert Dykstra, Eddie LePage, Jeff Miller, Winnie Clokie, Jeremy LePage, Ava McGuire, W. David Ward, Diane Basset, George Raab, Christy Donnelly, Kelly Adams; and in front, Foots Bay Art Gallery owner Ellen Cowie with her nephew Aaron Cowie, who inspired the event.
Submitted photo
Art from local and well-known Ontario artists streamed from the Foot’s Bay Art Gallery onto porches and decks last month, when over $13,000 was raised to benefit Autism Canada.
Foots Bay Art Gallery owner and artist Ellen Cowie, who hosted the 3rd Annual Foot’s Bay Charity Art Festival was thrilled this week, when the final tally came in.
“For a charity art festival, these artists really came through,” she said.
Twenty-five per cent of proceeds were directed to the Autism Canada Foundation, along with the artist participation fee and returns from 47 donated pieces of art.
“We had so many come out from the local cottages,” says Cowie, who was also pleased with the support from the community.
The event held in the old boathouse above Foot’s Bay Marina on McDonald’s Road, began with a dock party on July 31. A crowd of 150 to 200 participated in a silent auction of artists’ works, a live draw for an original Ellen Cowie oil 20x24-inch piece valued at $2600, and enjoyed live music with Barrie musician Bob Charters. Hills of Muskoka catered the event.
The actual 3rd annual festival was held on Aug. 1 and 2. The charity art festival, held each Civic holiday weekend, has grown from 20 artists, to over 40 artists.
It was inspired by Ellen Cowie’s nephew Aaron Cowie, who is autistic.