Art can go a long way toward healing our hearts. Just ask Amber Kohnke. Her daughter Tyra fought off heart disease and now she's painting the way for others to get better too.
She started Tyra's Art Auction in 2012 as a way of promoting heart health and helping out the Children's Heart Society. Kohnke said that the second annual event is already shaping up to be a big success.
"It wasn't as big a thing as it is this year," she began. "Last year, it was just Tyra and she only put in about 28 pieces of her own work. This year we opened it up to all the heart kids … the ones that live at the hospital, the ones that were at camp, all the ones that we are in contact with through the society."
So far, the collection has grown to include about 70 pieces. Kohnke is thrilled with the response, and said that local art goers can get some really good deals on the day of the event. She hopes to get one or two dollars for each item.
Of course it's an auction so there could be a bidding war. Last year, two of Tyra's works went up to $50 a piece. It's not the money that's important so much as getting the word out, Kohnke said.
"We feel very lucky and we want to give back."
The society is a non-profit charity that provides support, education, research and awareness about children affected with congenital and acquired heart disease.
Its website (found at www.childrensheart.org) states that heart disease in children is the most common birth defect, affecting one out of every 100 births, and that congenital heart deformities is the greatest cause of infant mortality.
The art auction includes a strawberry tea, plus snacks and games just to be extra kid-friendly.
It takes place next Saturday, June 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. Amiha Diagnostic Imaging is located at 45 St. Thomas Street, right in the heart of the Farmers' Market zone.
The organization is also set to host its second annual Hope for Little Hearts Run and Walk on Saturday, October 5 in Edmonton's Rundle Park.
A cake walk for art
If you're in the historic Perron District next Wednesday and you prefer to have dessert before your lunch, the Art Gallery of St. Albert has just the thing to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Cakes on the Corner is a special event to be held in conjunction with the gallery's month-long Square One exhibition and fundraiser. From 11:30 to 1:30 on June 19, pedestrians and passersby can grab a free "square" piece of cake while they check out the remaining square works of art.
"It's just another opportunity for a community get-together, especially for people that work and come downtown," said Frances Gagnon, the gallery's director of art. "It's nice and quiet now. You're not leg-wrestling for pieces like that first preview night."
All of the art ranges in price from $100 to $200. The show runs until June 21.
Gagnon added that there are still spots left for grabs on the raffle board with some pretty good odds.
"Everybody wins a prize."
The gallery is located at 19 Perron Street.
For more information on the event or the exhibition, contact [email protected] or call 780-460-4310. The gallery's website can be found at artgalleryofstalbert.com.
