Cape Breton’s “celebrity artists” taking part in the fundraising event include Mayor Cecil Clarke, Cape Breton Post Publisher Anita DeLazzer, New Dawn President Rankin MacSween, NSCC Marconi Principal Fred Tilley, Membertou Advisor Dan Christmas, Centre for Craft and Design Director Lori Burke, Chief of Police Peter MacIsaac, Director of Mental Health and Addictions Dr. Linda Courey, and Pediatrician Dr. Andrew Lynk.
On Thursday at 7pm, the gym at the New Dawn Centre for Social Innovation will be transformed with rows of canvases as these nine brave souls, and seven youth from Access 808, come together to help raise awareness of issues related to youth-at-risk and to raise funds for both Caper Base @ Access 808 and The Art Room.
CaperBase @ Access 808 is a one-stop resource centre for youth up to age 24. The centre works with youth, families, schools and other community partners to create solutions, opportunities and supports that provide young people with the building blocks to live healthy, fulfilling and productive lives. These supports include: individual counselling, group programming, life skills development, workshops and information sessions, referrals to community resources, shower facilities, laundry facilities, emergency clothing, computer access, and stigma reduction initiatives.
The Art Room is an artist-run studio that occupies the original art space in the former Holy Angels High School, now the New Dawn Centre for Social Innovation. In addition to creating or sponsoring numerous visual art opportunities, including “open studio” access, life drawing sessions, community art projects and art workshops, members of The Art Room are committed to the broader goals of community engagement and development and the promotion of health, growth and well-being through the arts.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $4 for youth and can be purchased at New Dawn Enterprises (75 Prince Street Sydney), Caper Base @ Access 808 (808 George Street Sydney), Gordon Photographic (Charlotte Street Sydney), City Printers (Townsend Street Sydney) the Cape Breton Post (George Street Sydney), at the door the night of the event or by e-mailing theartroom2014@gmail.com.
In addition to lots of laughter and great conversation, the evening will include snacks, refreshments and musical entertainment by Con Amore. All of the master pieces will be auctioned off in a live auction (with auctioneer Larry MacLean) and the evening will be MC’d by Wendy Bergfeldt.
