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News Release
Artists exemplify The Art of Giving
by donating work to fight kidney disease
April 12, 2006
TORONTO - Artists from the Greater Toronto Area have joined forces
to show that giving is indeed an art form. Several artists are taking
part in The Kidney Foundation of Canada's annual fundraising gala,
which this year celebrates The Art of Giving by featuring a tribute
to renowned Group of Seven artist A.J. Casson, who lived with kidney
disease for many years.
"Giving is such an important element of who we are as a society.
It defines us in many ways and on so many levels," said Maryann
Kerr, executive director of The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Central
Ontario Branch. "Whether people give their time as a volunteer,
give their money to support our programs and services, give a kidney
to a loved one or simply help us by spreading messages about kidney
health, every effort is priceless to us."
Casson, the youngest member of the Group of Seven, lived with kidney
disease for many years and since his death 15 years ago; his family
has remained involved and supportive of the Foundation. Casson is
best known for his depiction of landscapes, forests and farms in
Southern Ontario and joined the Group of Seven in 1926 after an
invitation from Franklin Carmichael.
During The Art of Giving Gala on April 27, 2006, at the Toronto
Sheraton Centre, several artists will produce works on site, many
of which will be auctioned off at the end of the evening. The artists
come from a diverse range of backgrounds, from college students
wanting to do their bit for the community to kidney patients who
understand the challenges people with kidney disease face on a daily
basis. The evening's signature silent and live auction also feature
works of art and memorabilia from many well known Canadian artists,
including original artwork by Charles Pachter and Rose Lindzon and
an original set of Casson paintbrushes.
Tickets to The Art of Giving Gala can be purchased online at www.kidney.on.ca
or by calling 416-445-0373, ext. 234.
The charity event, which last year raised over half a million dollars
to help people living with kidney disease in Ontario, offers guests
a wonderful evening of fine dining and dancing and gives them the
opportunity to take part in the bidding for one-of-a-kind auction
items and a signature key event for a pair of Rolex watches. Gord
Martineau, news anchor for Citytv, is the celebrity guest host.
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Established in 1964, The Kidney Foundation of Canada has awarded
more than $73 million to support kidney-related research, helping
millions of Canadians suffering from kidney failure and related
disorders such as high blood pressure, kidney stones, diabetes and
urinary tract infections.
BY THE NUMBERS
It is estimated that 2 million Canadians have chronic kidney disease
or are at risk - most don't know it because the symptoms are silent.
Each day, an average of 14 Canadians learns that their kidneys have
failed.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Wendy Kudeba, Communications and Marketing Director
The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Central Ontario Branch
416-445-0373, ext. 242, wkudeba@kidney.on.ca
Mobile: 416-735-8408
Iain McLaren, Communications Coordinator
The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Central Ontario Branch
416-445-0373, ext. 229, imclaren@kidney.on.ca
On Site Artists: Bios
Andrea Lau: Natural images encompass most of Andrea Lau's
artwork, which are based on stylized forms of animals and landscapes.
Her love for nature stems from childhood memories of summers spent
in Parry Sound, Ontario. Andrea is also an avid papermaker and has
included her prints on her handmade papers. Encaustic-wax painting
has allowed Andrea to explore abstracted natural forms. Most of
her encaustic-wax paintings are vibrantly coloured organic forms
swirled together. Andrea will be graduating this spring with a Bachelor
of Fine Arts with a Printmaking major from The Ontario College of
Art and Design.
Paul Aiello: Coming from a mixed background of Italian and
Irish descent, Paul Aiello's identity is very complex and he finds
his comfort in the urban landscape. Born in Toronto, Aiello paints
the futuristic city using a photocollage from the present, and paints
to allow a new and distinctive look in the post-September 11th contemporary
world.
Bogdan Luca: Bogdan Luca is a Toronto based artist. Born
in Romania where he grew up and first became interested in the fine
arts, he then moved to Canada where he graduated from Sheridan College
with a classical animation diploma in 2000. Bogdan is currently
in his third year of studying towards a Bfa in drawing and painting
at the Ontario College of Art and Design.
George Blahitka: George is a concept artist and creative
designer. After graduating from the Graphic Design program at George
Brown College and working for various studios, he started his own
company. It was during this time George found out his chronic kidney
condition had developed into a need for dialysis. Wanting to make
the most of his time at the dialysis clinic, George further explored
his artistic side. In December 2005, George had a kidney transplant.
During his recovery, his art became even more important to him as
it was the only activity he could enjoy and it took his mind away
from the situation at hand. George's work can be seen and purchased
at The Olde Tyme Country Craft and Studio in downtown Brampton,
where he often spends time on the weekends doing his drawings in
the store.
Artist Donors: Bios
Charles Pachter: One of Canada's leading contemporary artists,
Charles Pachter is a painter, printmaker, sculptor, designer, historian,
and lecturer. Born in Toronto, Charles holds degrees from the University
of Toronto, the Sorbonne, and the Cranbrook Academy of Art. He holds
an honorary doctorate from Brock University, is a member of the
Order of Canada, and a Chevalier of France's Ordre des Arts et des
Lettres. His works hang in public and private collections around
the world. His images of the Queen, moose, and Maple Leaf flag are
pop icons of Canadian art. McClelland & Stewart publications
include an illustrated biography of Pachter and his work, and The
Journals of Susanna Moodie, his celebrated collaboration with poet
Margaret Atwood.
Rose Lindzon: Born in Poland, Rose Lindzon is a Canadian
citizen living in Toronto. Rose studied art at the University of
Toronto and the Ontario College of Art and has taken part in many
artist workshops. Rose studied fresco in Italy where she also participated
in an archaeological dig in Etruria. Rose is also the author and
illustrator of a book on Ancient and Classical Greece.
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