MOOSE JAW — The Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery (MJMAG) held its annual Gala in the Gallery fundraiser, bringing with it an enchanted evening filled with art and entertainment including a live and silent auction, cash bar, catering, and live musical performances.
The fundraiser gala took place at the MJMAG gallery on the evening of Dec. 14.
“It’s always nice to dress up and go out during the holiday season, enjoy some camaraderie, some good food from High Regard Artisanal Catering, and have a cocktail or two,” announced Craig Hemingway, communications manager for the City of Moose Jaw.
Organized as a fundraiser, proceeds raised through the gala will help support the MJMAG and its wide range of programs and workshops including school-specific programming, art workshops, and numerous rotating exhibits. Proceeds are also a valuable source of revenue to maintain the museum and gallery’s day-to-day expenses.
The evening opened to an announcement from Hemingway, who then opened the floor to an instrumental performance by Iryna Levchenko, who was introduced by her sister, Tatiana Levchenko.
Levchenko played numerous short, traditional melodies on the bandura, the national instrument of the Ukraine.
“Before the war (currently going on in the Ukraine), Iryna was a professional musician,” her sister announced. “She worked for 20 years in the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine.”
The gala utilized the entire floor space in the gallery as the previous exhibition — The Performance of Being by Leesa Streifler — now has all of its 109 pieces packed up early and is heading to its next four destinations in Calgary, Swift Current, Brandon, and Winnipeg.
“They (the Calgary gallery) wanted it by mid-January, so we had to get it down early so we could get it packed,” McRorie explained. “And we just thought, well, if we have this big, empty gallery space, let’s put the gala event in there. We’re kind of excited about having it in that space.”
The move, McRorie said, happened in an impressive four-day period thanks to numerous volunteers who offered to come and help with the takedown.
Following the night’s entertainment, a live auction took place with 16 pieces available for purchase. Artwork up for auction included a few select works from local artists including Yvette Moore, Jess Zoerb, Ward Schell, Peter Tucker, Pat Aldridge, and pottery by Parsons Dietrich.
Catering for the gala was provided by High Regard Artisanal Catering and Kitchen, a new local business enterprise.
“We’re very thankful to the artists that have donated (paintings),” McRorie said, including “artists from Regina and the surrounding area… that have joined in for the fundraiser.”
All proceeds from the Gala in the Gallery event will go to the MJMAG’s innovative and engaging exhibitions and programming.
The Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery is located at 461 Langdon Crescent and can be reached at 306-692-4471. For more information, visit MJMAG.ca.
