Fort St. John annual Art Auction to return for 40th year

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Fort St. John Arts Council is asking local artists to showcase their art at the upcoming 40th annual art auction gala. 

The 40th annual Art Auction, organized by the Fort St. John Arts Council and its partners, has been scheduled for March 7th at the Pomeroy Hotel and Conference Centre from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with a ‘roaring ‘20s’ theme.  

Sandy Troudt – past president of the Peace Arts Gallery Society, which has been dissolved and is now part of the Fort St. John Arts Council – told Energeticcity.ca the art auction has its roots in when the North Peace Cultural Centre was first established. 

She said: “When the North Peace Cultural Center was proposed, an art gallery was not part of the plan for the new building. 

“The arts council at the time came up with the plan that if they did include an art gallery into the cultural center, they would promise to fundraise for the gallery. 

“The Peace Arts Gallery Society was formed and the society used to put on these auctions.” 

Attendees will have a chance to be a part of live auction, silent auction and bucket draws, win door prizes and enjoy live entertainment and a buffet dinner.

Also there will also be live local artists who will be creating art on the premises. 

Funds raised during the auction will be used to meet gallery needs, provide student bursaries for high school students who want to pursue a career in art and start an art program for children. 

“Over the years, the funds have been really well used. Now, the focus is on an art hub,” Troudt said, adding artists in Fort St. John never had a designated place to work. 

She said: “We want this [art hub] not just for artists but we want it for the community.

“We’ve actually had an architect draw up some possible plans to include a room for painting and printmaking.” 

Additionally, Troudt hopes the future art hub will have a place to conduct workshops, provide education, include a place to display work and feature a storefront. 

Troudt said: “We’re finally starting to put money in a fund [and] hopefully this becomes a reality someday.” 

She shared that the annual art gala has become popular among local artists and the community. 

She noted: “There’s lots of people who just love art and they want it in their homes. 

“It’s not just about the art though. It’s also about a good time out.” 

Artists who want to donate their work for this year’s auction are asked to fill in a form and drop off their pieces to Peace Gallery North by February 14th. 

Troudt said: “All works will be considered for inclusion in the event. 

“Organizers will carefully curate how each work will make an enticing option in the vast array of offerings at the art auction.” 

Tickets for the art gala cost $95 and can be bought online or at the ticket office at the North Peace Cultural Center.