Garbage Can Art Contest Raises $3772
Funds Support Art Therapy at BC Children's Hospital
Guest Contribution by Kevin Dale McKeown
Images supplied by Kevin Dale McKeown
Eighteen artists, some famous, some aspiring, and some dedicated amateurs, raised nearly $4,000 for BC Children's Hospital Sunday, September 23rd, 2007 at the 21st annual Granville Island Ferries Garbage Can Art Contest & Auction on Granville Island.
The artists spent four hours creating works of art out of standard metal garbage cans, continuing a tradition begun by the late George McInnis, founder of Granville Island Ferries. The finished art was judged by Josh Denoyers of the Van Dop Arts & Cultural Guide to British Columbia, Jo Darts of the Crafthouse Gallery on Granville Island, and Tej Kainth of the Tourism New Westminster Visitor Centre, awarding first, second and third place cash prizes of $250, $200 and $150.
First place in this year's competition went to Bill Thompson for his unique rocket ship creation; second place was taken by Laura Gibson for a stylish café scene; and third place was won by John Keselyak for a larger-than-life floral arrangement.
Following the judging, all 18 works of art were auctioned to the public by 600AM's broadcast personality Dave Abbott. All proceeds, totaling $3,772.50, including cash donations by the public, were donated to the BC Children's Hospital to buy art supplies for the hospital's art therapy programs and activities.
Each garbage can held a gift bag of donations from Granville Island merchants and arts organizations, such as Opus, who have generously supported this annual event since its inception.
All of the event's expenses are covered by Granville Island Ferries, which co-sponsors the contest with Granville Island /CMC. Live entertainment was provided through the afternoon by local Celtic band Blackthorn.
"We are proud to see this fun fund-raiser move into its third decade," says Granville Island Ferries owner Dave McInnis, "and delighted to be able to keep the children at BC Children's Hospital painting through the year."
"Until we were adopted by the Granville Island Ferries Garbage Can Art Contest, the costs of art supplies were an out-of-pocket expense for our therapists and social workers," says BC Children's Hospital's Pat Roles, who was in attendance Sunday. "This event has made an enormous difference in the healing work with our young patients."
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