Popular fundraiser Art on the Line brings artists and community together
What: Art on the Line gala and fundraiser
Who: Various artists with host UBCO Professor Michael V. Smith
When: Saturday, February 1, doors open at 6 p.m.
Where: Fipke Centre, 3247 University Way, UBC’s Okanagan Campus, Kelowna
Cost: $190 (one ticket admits two people and guarantees one piece of artwork) or $10 event entry at door
Each year UBC Okanagan’s Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, in association with the Visual Arts Course Union, hosts a fundraiser and gala event that celebrates the work of local artists.
This popular evening brings together the local arts community in a fun evening where participants are guaranteed to leave with an original piece of artwork. Proceeds from the event support visual arts student exhibitions including UBCO’s fourth-year graduating show, the visiting artist program and opportunities for travel grants and exhibitions, explains Art on the Line Co-coordinator Aiden de Vin.
“In years past we’ve seen how Art on the Line is an event where community can come together to celebrate the arts and we are honoured to be a part of that,” says de Vin. “For us, it’s a great opportunity to be more involved in the visual arts community on campus and in Kelowna. We get to work with students from all years of the Visual Arts Program, and faculty and community members who love the arts.”
Additional funds raised at this event will be donated to The Bridge Youth and Family Services. The Bridge is a local non-profit that has provided innovative and quality programming to the children, youth and families of the Central Okanagan since 1969. Art on the Line Co-coordinator Sara Spencer says they have worked with the Bridge in the past, creating a promotional video for the organization.
“Since this relationship has been made, we feel it is important to give back to a local charity that is working to serve Kelowna and the community in the biggest way,” says Spencer. “The Bridge has a special place in our hearts.”
During the evening 120 juried works of art are on display—art that has been donated from students, faculty, alumni and community artists. The artwork is then raffled off to guests, creating a lottery that makes for a fun and suspenseful evening, explains UBCO Bachelor of Fine Arts alumni Kristy Matilda.
“Art on the Line is a vibrant and exciting event where you get the thrill of seeing people bid for your artwork,” says Matilda. “The anticipation and excitement of the crowd generates quite the buzz for emerging artists. Everyone works together and it’s engaging and fun to get involved with your colleagues.”
Organizers are still collecting two- and three-dimensional artworks to be donated for the event. Interested artists can visit fccs.ok.ubc.ca/about/events-workshops/artontheline to download a submission form or email artontheline.aotl@gmail.com with any questions about how and where to submit.
$10 tickets are available at the door for those guests who want to attend the event, but not purchase a piece of artwork. Tickets are available at artontheline.net or artontheline.eventbrite.ca This year’s event is sponsored by alumni UBC.
