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Oak Bay gallery gets into the giving spirit

Red Art Gallery's Holiday Art Exchange raising funds for Victoria Transition House
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Red Art Gallery’s Marion Evamy goes over some of the pieces that will be in the upcoming Holiday Art Exchange with Victoria Women’s Transition House board member Laura Atkinson

The creativity of art and the spirit of Christmas come together next week in Oak Bay to benefit the community and some of those most in need of a little holiday cheer.

The Red Art Gallery will host the Holiday Art Exchange from Dec. 9 to 13, with every dollar raised going directly to the Victoria Women’s Transition House.

“The whole idea is to find a piece of art that you’re prepared to part with, bring it down to us, you put your own price on it, and that piece of art will be hung in the gallery from Dec. 9 to 13,” said Bobb Hamilton with Red Art Gallery. “When a buyer comes in, if they like that piece of art, the buyer will write the cheque directly to the Victoria Women’s Transition House.”

While the Transition House will receive every dime from the sales, those donating the art will get a credit at the gallery for 50 per cent of what the piece sells for.

“If a piece sells for $800, we would give them a $400 credit that is applicable to anything they want to buy at the gallery after this event,” said Hamilton, adding the credit is transferable.

It’s a win-win for the community. Those donating works have a chance to share some art that may be just gathering dust in a closet and also receive credit for something new to hang on the wall, while those looking to buy can pick up a piece from some well-known artists at affordable prices. And it all goes to help the great work done by the Victoria Women’s Transition House.

“The community has supported us well. It’s our way of giving back,” said Hamilton. “And you’re finding new homes for all these beautiful works.”

He credits his wife Marion Evamy as the inspiration for the exchange.

“Marion dreams up most of these ideas. Marion’s the creative part of the gallery and I’m the administrative and marketing part,” he said. “Every year she tries to figure out a way to do something a little different than asking for straight cash donations. I really have to give her credit her for  coming up with some unique ideas.”

Some of the artists whose works have been pledged for donation include: Dulcie Foo Fat, David Peter Hunsberger, Toni Onley, Manish Om Prakash, Susy Raxlen, Marion Evamy, Brian Simons, Danny Everett Stewart, Judy Perrin and Donna Ion.

The only condition of the exchange is that the artwork should be able to fetch a price of at least $250, and the gallery is only accepting paintings, serigraphs, etchings, silkscreens and drawings.

“We’re wanting original work only. That’s always been the gallery’s mandate anyway, we don’t sell reproductions, we don’t sell prints, we don’t sell photographs,” said Hamilton.

Those wanting to donate a piece of art are invited to come down to the gallery at 2249 Oak Bay Ave. and drop it off on Sunday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

“It’s up to the donor to determine their own price. It’s important that they feel comfortable with the price that they’ve put on it but it’s also important that they don’t put too high a price on it because then it won’t sell.”

 

editor@oakbaynews.com