Impressions of Monet's Secret Garden Vancouver Art Gallery Summer Gala 2017

The Monet Exhibit officially opens June 24th and in keeping with the Secret Garden theme, the Gallery was dressed in a beautiful welcome of red roses. An iconic building, The Vancouver Art Gallery is transformed with each exhibition and especially for its largest fundraising Gala, Friday June 16th. Event partners: The Social Concierge, Celsia Floral, Flower Factory and gif (Granville Island Florist) receive accolades for the variety of flowers and creative designs and locations for them: advertising displays, pathways, table settings, staircases, at every level, there were fantastic arrangements scenting the air and gracing walls and surfaces, both indoors and outside. And people dressed for Monet and for great causes: funding grand exhibitions and school and family programs at the gallery. The dresses were paintings as were the fresh flowers woven into elegant hairstyles, fascinators, and even flower wristlets. My nod to the garden theme was my Dragonfly Necklace by Carolyn Bruce.

Culinary Capers created tasty appetizers for the cocktail reception as well as a dinner by Executive Chef Stewart Boyles, featuring Dungeness Crab, Cornish Game Hen, Frozen Berry Parfait, (candied violets) perfectly situated on exquisite table settings, again with masses of flowers, but none too high to block out Master of Ceremonies, Andrew Chang, CBC and Fred Lee, Guest Auctioneer, or the entertainment: Chor Leoni Men's Choir, The Goh Ballet and the Famous Players Band.

There were many fundraisers: Live Auction (think Trips to Paris Fashion Week, American Music Award, America's Cup Yachting Experience on San Francisco Bay, Tokyo, New York and even a private gallery tour of the Monet Exhibit and Culinary Capers dinner for 12, right in Vancouver.) Balloon surprises $1,500 - 5,000, Raffle with 6 more exciting experiences, Washington D.C., Pebble Beach, CA, Kennedy Space Centre, Lady Gaga Live in Boston, Chicago or NYC and Super Car Driving in Las Vegas. Just a few of the many opportunities to support the year round word of ART that our Vancouver Art Gallery brings to all of us.

Thanks to the huge and very hard working Summer Gala 2017 Event Committee and to the many others: Sponsors, Partners, Staff and Volunteers who made this Gala a fabulous night to remember.

Can't wait for the Opening of the Monet Exhibit, June 24th and for FUSE and other events in our garden: The Vancouver Art Gallery.

Thanks also to Justin Mah, Communications and Greer Attridge, Social Media, for their gracious welcome and suggestions for best views.

The dresses looked just like the flowers! Beautiful!

Massy Books on Main Officially Opens

On June 7th, I was invited to the grand opening of Massy Books at 2206 Main, in Vancouver! Balloons outside, lots of friends and neighbors streaming in and buying those specialty and rare books that Patricia sources and stocks! The store contains beautiful shelves, filled with carefully curated and organized titles. Love the little wooden stools and just had to visit the hidden room with an antique desk and comfy stuffed chair. Imagine spending your quiet time in here.

The Children's section is right by the sunny front window and has a colorful carpet just made for sitting down for a look at pictures or a read. I found this one, a Bento Recipe book for those little lunches. So the whole opening event was a wonderful opportunity to chat, read, and celebrate Patricia's hard work, community leadership and friendship. We were also treated to catering by Whole Foods. Books, food and friends, what more! Well, there is one more thing: this owl ring is making its way to the store from another store, My Sister's Closet, where we both volunteer. See more Massy Books on Facebook.

Patricia and Me

RAW Natural Born Artists, Vancouver, June 8, 2017

RAW is always an evening of Art in every way, shape and form. It is visual, performance, music and more. It is people dressing up, being made up, dancing, networking and enjoying all there is to see and do. For the past two years, it has been held at the Harbour Event Centre and this seems to have lots of advantages, including a huge stage and multiple display areas. I wrote about RAW in 2015 here.

This time, there were more than 35 artists and lively, visually diverse and exciting evening unfolded.
First, I visited Pamela Jackson, Street Cat Designs, as I love her jewellery, especially those crocheted earrings and in particular, a funky sterling silver black bracelet, which will invite conversation wherever I wear it. Before she got too busy with sales, I got a photo of this fabulous artist, and Marilyn R. Wilson, (Olio by Marilyn) and me, ready for adventure. Marilyn bought a piece of original art by Jacqueline H. Tyracek, Cranial Moon Designs, and absolutearts.com. This evening was all about meeting and supporting local artists, for sure. I met Joe Sones of Blind Sheep Productions and was impressed by his quality leather work - oh those totes. As I mentioned, people dressed for the occasion. The woman wearing the fanciest black outfit was wearing a sparkling statement necklace by Carolyn Bruce, who would have been there, had she not been in New Zealand.
Although I am a Stones fan, I was entranced by two musicians from Alive N' Kissin. Now what did I say about adventures?

Huge thanks to Monika Blichar of ArtWorldExpo for sending me along on a night to remember. Big bow to all at RAW Natural Born Artists, Vancouver!