Lewis’ legacy lives on with Grands ‘n’ More
This year’s Art from the Attic campaign set to launch
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Every piece of art deserves a good home, and Grands ‘n’ More Winnipeg plays a big part in making that happen, as well as supporting a cause that’s dear to the hearts of its members.
The non-profit charitable organization is about to launch its 10th annual Art from the Attic campaign, and organizers are keen to get the word out about the initiative, as now is the time that people embark on spring cleaning and are potentially looking to offload items from their homes and cabins.
Art from the Attic is an art sale at St. Vital Centre (1225 St. Mary’s Rd.) where thousands of pieces of artwork will be on sale to the public at affordable prices. This year’s sale will take place Sunday, Oct. 4 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Photo by John Kendle
Visitors to this year’s Art from the Attic event on Oct. 4 at St. Vital Centre can anticipate finding thousands of pieces of donated art to choose from. Proceeds from the event go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign.
Every spring, Grands ‘n’ More campaigns for donations of artworks for the sale.
“All of the art donated is by residents of Winnipeg and the surrounding areas,” said local campaign co-chair Sharon Twilley. Last year, Art from the Attic collected more than 4,000 pieces of art, and a little under $50,000 was raised at the sale
“Volunteers take in the art, prepare it for sale, and price the items,” Twilley said. “The prices are unbeatable, and certain hidden gems can show up in the donations to us.”
All proceeds from the event benefit the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign, which was launched in 2006 in response to the emerging crisis faced by grandmothers in Africa, millions of whom are caring for grandchildren orphaned by the AIDS crisis on that continent. In Winnipeg, Grands ‘n’ More was founded specifically to help Grandmothers to Grandmothers. The broader campaign has raised $40 million since 2006, and runs projects in 14 sub-Saharan countries, according to grandmotherscampaign.org
Twilley, who lives in Royalwood, said the members of Grands ‘n’ More Winnipeg were deeply saddened by news of Stephen Lewis’ death on March 31, noting he “ultimately saved millions of lives and warrants the title of international hero.”
In memory of Lewis, she said those involved in organizing Art from the Attic “are particularly determined to make this event a great success, despite the challenges we face in pulling it off as we all age.”
“Stephen never gave up, and he was an electrifying speaker … and when he was working at the United Nations, he wasn’t afraid of taking on powerful people,” Twilley said.
Photo by John Kendle
Sharon Twilley (left) and Donnie Fridfinnson, local co-chairs of the 10th annual Art from the Attic campaign, organized by Grands ‘n’ More Winnipeg, hope to encourage people to consider donating artwork to their campaign when, for example, they spring clean or downsize.
Donnie Fridfinnson, Twilley’s campaign co-chair, said hearing Lewis speak and meeting him briefly at an event in Arborg, Man., years ago partly inspired her to eventually join Grands ‘n’ More Winnipeg.
“He spoke with such passion,” she said of his 45-minute speech. “He had such an impact on me, and he talked about the group in Winnipeg. I took note, and decided it was something I’d like to be connected with,” Fridfinnson said.
“I love art, love buying art, love looking at it, and love making it,” added the East Kildonan resident. “Art from the Attic is such a fun event to be involved with.”
Because St. Vital Centre is such a high-traffic area, Fridfinnson said visitors to the annual Art from the Attic sale range from dedicated collectors who come back year after year and tend to be focused on what they’re looking for, to more casual shoppers, who only find out where the proceeds are going when they reach the checkout with their purchases.
She said affordability is a big draw for people, noting that approximately 60 per cent of items cost between $5 and $45.
Donations generally have to be art that can be hung on a wall and in good condition, but organizers will consider good quality unframed prints.
“The beauty of it is that it’s so diverse. You think you’ve seen everything, and then an item comes along that surprises you,” Fridfinnson said.
Free Press file photo
Renowned Canadian politician and diplomat Stephen Lewis, pictured speaking at the University of Manitoba in 2012, died on March 31. The Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign supports projects in Africa which help those affected by the continent’s devastating AIDS crisis.
She added that Grands ‘n’ More is always happy to welcome new volunteers, as it takes many hands to ensure the campaign and sale remain a success.
More information about this year’s campaign will be announced soon, including drop-off location details.
Email gnmafta@gmail.com to learn more, or visit grandsnmore.com
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