Roaring '20s return for art auction

It’s one of St. Albert’s biggest evenings as far as art goes and this year it’s going to be held in one of the biggest and newest venues in the city.

The Art Gallery of St. Albert is set to host its 22nd annual art auction and fundraiser next month. In a year when the gallery unveiled a new name it’s only fitting the organization plans to hold the event in Hole’s Greenhouses & Gardens’ new Enjoy Centre. It’s a modern event but the theme is ripped right from the Roaring ‘20s.

Flappers and Fine Art is the gallery’s largest source of revenue outside of government and other public support. Times are tough for artists and arts organizations in Alberta so these kinds of fundraisers are becoming even more prevalent and relevant.

According to gallery director of arts Frances Gagnon, the direct repercussion of a funding shortfall wouldn’t necessarily mean more fundraising events.

“It would probably mean a decrease in programs. We would probably just have to reduce something else because to do more fundraising takes more time which would take away from our programming, too.”

Currently, the gallery runs workshops and children’s educational programs that enrol more than 25,000 students each year. Last year, the province unexpectedly cut 16 per cent of arts funding, leaving many to wonder if it was the first sign of further bloodletting.

Gagnon is relatively confident things will be stable this year but admits that further cuts could come at any time.

“You never know.”

The auction then becomes a premiere event, its importance emphasized. There will be a silent auction on more than 100 pieces of original and donated art by talented and prominent local artists, many of whom will mingle in the crowd that is expected to reach 300. Tickets are still available. There will also be art demonstrations and other activities plus live entertainment with music by a jazz trio from Grant MacEwan University.

The jazz-era theme came from the fact that the Banque d’Hochelaga building (where the gallery itself has made its home for just over the last decade) was actually built in 1921. To celebrate all things of that time, Gagnon is hoping to have a Model-T Ford on display as well. You can expect her to be using a lot of lingo like “bee’s knees” and “cat’s pyjamas” in the next few weeks.

“Just the idea of flappers and art deco … we thought it would be a fun theme for the community. Not too hard to dress up for!” she laughed.