Photo: VPAG

The Vernon Public Art Gallery brought in more than $80,000 at the annual Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts fundraiser.

Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts featured artwork donated by more than 60 artists, along with more than 80 businesses contributing luxury items and packages, resulting in 133 packages and original artworks available for bidding.

Heidi Thompson with her painting Sun Jewel was the top seller of the night, receiving the highest bid at $3,900.

The next top sellers were pieces by Briar Craig and Rick Bond, which sold for $3,000 and $2,800 respectively.

Following closely were pieces donated by Bryan Ryley and Barbara Fresz, which garnered $2,300 and $2,200 respectively. Each item sold contributed significantly to the overall success of the event.

The top-grossing silent auction item included a stay at Halcyon Hot Springs which sold for $650. Other top items included travel packages to Whitehorse, Victoria, and Revelstoke – with the silent auction alone raising over $12,000.

“This event truly is a community event. It could not happen if the community didn’t come together each and every year to help make it happen,” says VPAG Executive Director Dauna Kennedy.

“There are so many to thank, you know who you are, I am just so overwhelmed with the support we receive for the work we do in the community around the visual arts. Funding through grants is just not keeping pace with inflation and we couldn’t continue to provide all we do without this event taking place, and through the generosity of all who participated.”