After celebrating last year in the now defunct downtown nightclub Kool Haus, the Canadian Art Foundation’s annual gala returned to The Carlu to ring in its double-decade milestone. In its 20-year history, the event – which started as an intimate dinner at the Olga Korper Gallery in Toronto – has become an unofficial kickoff for the fall art season in Canada. Although the event has certainly grown – 650 guests attended the latest soiree – a grassroots feeling is still at the core of this celebration of the Canadian art community. The gala also serves as a laboratory of sorts, a place where up-and-coming Canadian artists make their auction debut and enjoy the benefit of an audience that includes connected curators, collectors and gallery owners.
In an effort to catch these refined eyes and raise as much money for the foundation as possible, the works on display, which are donated by the artists or the galleries that represent them, are unlike those in other fundraising art auctions. In place of typically postage stamp-size paintings are major works with weight and presence. The 53 pieces on offer through both silent and live auctions at this year’s event – including work by returning favourites like Wanda Koop, Edward Burtynsky and Karen Kraven – coupled with ticket sales netted an impressive $650,000. Funds raised during the evening, the Canadian Art Foundation’s most important event, support various programming initiatives, including Canadian Art magazine, free Gallery Hops in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, and a must-attend series of talks across Canada that this year will host philanthropist and collector Michael Audain and artists Taryn Simon, Janice Kerbel and Hito Steyerl.
Phelan Charitable Foundation director Jennen Phelan was a co-chair of the event and attended with Jesper Wahlberg, sister Jamie and her artist mother Rundi (decked out in a paillette sequined mini). At a table nearby, I was seated with Jennen’s co-chair for the evening, Vandana Taxali, a Toronto-based lawyer who works with entrepreneurs and creative types. The first-time gala co-chair sat at a table with contributing artists and gallerists including artists Michael Klein, Jessica Eaton and Dean Baldwin, art consultant Danna Heitner, lawyer and collector Paul Bain, and Canadian Art magazine contributor Bryne McLaughlin.
Also in attendance: art advisor Popsy Johnstone, who was one of a handful of subjects included in a morale-boosting opening video (I’m told she made banana bread for the crew); the elegant art patron Eleanor Shen, dressed in red ruffles and Verdura jewels; Sobey Art Foundation director Rob Sobey; collectors Gerald Sheff and Shanitha Kachan; Christie’s Canada VP Brett Sherlock; Trinity Jackman and Marcus Doyle; legendary Canadian artist Michael Snow and his partner, curator Peggy Gale; socialite Jennifer Bassett; AudienceView VP of corporate development Michael Burns; RBC curator and Canadian Art Foundation board member Robin Anthony (who wore a bold Mary Katrantzou frock); the Hon. Michael Coteau, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport; artist Michael Awad; and Laura Berazadi, Metrolinx’s senior integrated art advisor, wearing a sheer red plaid Simone Rocha number; collector Dr. Paul Marks; Hal Jackman Foundation executive director Victoria Jackman and Artemis president and CEO Conor Bill; and last but certainly not least, Canadian Art Foundation CEO Jill Birch.
