Project 31, OCAD University’s annual auction to support student success, has raised $183,000, the largest amount in the event’s six-year history. By the time Waddington’s auctioneer Stephen Ranger announced the final winning bid on March 26, all 42 lots were sold. Twenty-four of these lots went at or above the catalogue estimate, with the most memorable competitive bid — a whopping $11,000 — winning a piece by Anda Kubis. Attendance exceeded 250, a number that included many of the artists whose works were up for auction.
Project 31 proceeds will support scholarships and awards for students in Drawing & Painting, Illustration, Digital Painting and Expanded Animation, Integrated Media, Material Art & Design, Photography, Printmaking and Sculpture/Installation, as well as bursaries for students in financial need, equipment and materials for the Woodshop and Ceramics classes and the Photography and Jewellery Studios, the Digital Painting Atelier, Diversity, Equity & Sustainability Initiatives, the Centre for Students with Disabilities, and more.
The OCAD University community is grateful to the faculty and alumni who donated their works: Philippe Blanchard, Monica Bodirsky, Kotama Bouabane, John Carnes, Ian Carr-Harris, Nicole Collins, Douglas Coupland, John Deal, Judith Doyle, Mitchell Fenton, Paul Fournier, Nancy Friedland, Lisa Hampton, Spencer J. Harrison, Lynne Heller, Jody Hewgill, April Hickox, Mark Jaroszewicz, Anda Kubis, Colette Laliberté, JJ Lee, Ginette Legaré, Derek Liddington, Hugh Martin, Linda Martinello, Alex McLeod, Meryl McMaster, Laura Millard, Julie Nagam, Sarah Nind, Paulette Phillips, Diane Pugen, Edmond Rampen, John Scott, Rosalie Sharp, Vladimir Spicanovic, Peter Sramek, Gary Taxali, Elaine Waisglass, Natalie Waldburger, and George A. Walker.
We would like to thank members of the Project 31 Committee for their hard work: Tom Barker, Paul Dallas, Paul Epp, Roderick Grant, April Hickox, Bruce Hinds, Amanda Hotrum, Tony Kerr, Caroline Langill, JJ Lee, Wrik Mead, Gayle Nicoll, Luke Painter, Michael Prokopow, Barbara Rauch, Lenore Richards, Vladimir Spicanovic, Peter Sramek, Gillian Flanagan, Adam Tindale, Dot Tuer, and Ken Vickerson.
We would also like to thank our supporting galleries: Alison Milne Gallery, Birch Contemporary, Christensen Fine Art, Daniel Faria Gallery, Danielle Arnaud Contemporary Art, Diaz Contemporary, Division Gallery, Erin Stump Projects, Galerie Youn, General Hardware Contemporary , Katzman Contemporary, Mira Godard Gallery, Miriam Shiell Fine Art, Nicholas Metivier Gallery, p|m Gallery, Roberts Gallery, Stephen Bulger Gallery, and Susan Hobbs Gallery.
Project 31 is generously sponsored by Delaney Capital Management, Borden Ladner Gervais, First Capital Realty and David Smith, Smith Advisory. Final thanks also to event supporters Canadian Art, Waddington’s, Underwood Catering, Westbury National, Steam Whistle Brewing, 13th Street Winery and Chair-man Mills.
Photos by Gary Beechey