Splash of Red raises some green

Aug 18, 2020 | 2:32 PM

Vernon’s Caetani Centre is trying to make the best of what has been a challenging year for all non-profits and charities.

The organization depends on public programming and community events for generating the majority of its revenues, and has been struggling to adapt to the Covid-19 situation. With international and even national travel curtailed, the centre’s artist and writer in residence programs have also been severely affected.

In response to Covid-19 this year, the Caetani Centre’s popular Splash of Red auction was moved completely online for 2020. Despite not holding the full outdoor event, which normally sees over 200 patrons on the grounds for a sit-down Italian style four course dinner and full art auction, the online event still took a lot of planning and preparation for this brand new and untested format.

The Splash Committee, headed by board member Karen Winsor-Geatros, proceeded with a lot of uncertainty, but in the end the community support came through, and the centre was able to raise about $20,000.

“We are so very grateful to the artists, sponsors and patrons who still rose to the occasion with their support,” said Winsor-Geatros. “35 pieces were auctioned off online, and some artists donated more than one work. Because the event was not live, we were able to accommodate a few extra pieces.”

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“We even managed a small, socially distanced, wrap up event the night of the auction for just the committee and volunteers. They watched the auction count down – there was bidding right up to the end, and competition for favourite pieces, so still some excitement generated.”

Highest bids generated for works were the perennial favourites by artists Michelle Loughery and Heidi Thompson. The piece which saw the most fierce competition was by artist Gabrielle Strong.

In conjunction with the Splash of Red event, past-president Angelika Jaeger, a passionate supporter of the Caetani Centre’s goals and Sveva Caetani’s story for many years, issued AJ’s Challenge, which in itself raised over $15,000. Sponsors Silver Star Mountain Resort, Kal Tire, O’Callaghan Bilodeau Chartered Accountants, RBC Wealth Management and MQN Architects rose to the challenge as the main sponsors, with many other individuals and smaller businesses coming on board.

“In all, although we did fall somewhat short of the live event, we came close to raising about $35,000 in total,” said Caetani’s executive director Susan Brandoli. “It is always gratifying to know that so many people in this community support this cause. We cannot thank them enough.”

The Caetani Centre was slated to open this spring as a heritage site, but the virus also put a hold on this.

“With tourism so severely reduced this summer,” said Brandoli, “it was just as well, and actually a blessing in disguise, if one can optimistically call it that. The one good thing is that we will have more time to invest in researching and designing the heritage display, and be better able to prepare for opening next year. We anticipate our grand opening to be next spring 2021 now. The funds raised will ensure that this still happens.”

The Caetani heritage site is in partnership with the Vernon Museum.

For more information visit their website https://www.caetani.org

by Pete McIntyre

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