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MC Brian Martin of Beach Radio (centre, wearing suit) and auctioneer Don Raffan (right) at the 35th annual Midsummer's Eve of the Arts fundraiser on July 21. (Photo credit: VPAG)
By Pete McIntyre
35th annual

Record donations at Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts

Jul 22, 2021 | 1:53 PM

Perhaps it was a bounce-back from being couped-up by the pandemic, but a popular Vernon fundraiser has raised what’s believed to be an all-time high.

The 35th annual Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts brought in over $63,000 on Wednesday night, funds that will be used to support programming at the Vernon Public Art Gallery (VPAG).

“I think it’s a variety of things, said Dauna Kennedy, Executive Director of VPAG. “It was the first event back since COVID, and perhaps with the cultural centre coming, people are just recognizing they want to support the gallery and keep the gallery strong moving forward.”

The art auction gala used a hybrid of live and virtual formats, allowing those who weren’t able to attend in person to still take part in both the silent and live auctions.

“We had everything listed on a website for a couple weeks prior to the event,” Kennedy explained.

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The event was held on the roof top of the Nixon-Wenger building on 30th Avenue.

The top auction item sold by ‘auctioneer-extraordinaire’ Don Raffan of Valley Auction was a painting by Okanagan artist Jolene Mackie titled ‘Above It All,’ which fetched $2,700.

At the end of the auction, city councillor and MQN Architects owner Brian Quiring donated $1,000 for himself and another $1,000 for his business, and challenged others to do the same.

“We had $12,000 in donations come through at the end, so that was the tipping point that helped push us over,” Kennedy remarked.

Brian Martin from 107.5 Beach Radio drew rave reviews as the event’s MC.

“He did an amazing job,” Kennedy said. “It was so much fun to watch him out there. He was like a veteran auctioneer, pulling in the bids, him and Don Raffan.”

by Pete McIntyre
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