Auction fundraiser supporting Banff's Whyte Museum
As a way of celebrating the 115th birthday of its late founder, Catharine Robb Whyte on June 13, the Whyte Museum has decided to expand virtual access to its collections and enhance Indigenous programming.
But to do that, funding will be needed.
Donna Livingstone is the CEO of the museum and after reaching out to the artist community, she was overwhelmed with support.
A total of 177 items were donated to the cause, with the majority coming from artists and organizations across Alberta.
"I think Catherine would get a big kick out of this," said Livingstone. "She was a very strong supporter of emerging artists, she was an artist herself, but I think she would look at the list and look at the people that are coming from all over North America and go, 'Oh, these are my friends.' As we are looking at the list and getting excited about it, I think this would be a wonderful moment for her."
The auction runs from June 1 to 13 and is being presented online courtesy of Levis Fine Art Auctions.
Bidders can choose between objects with a strong connection to the Bow Valley, including paintings, photographs, sculptures, folk art, ceramics, and memorable mountain experiences.
Featured items include a number of rare objects such as a signed first-edition book by Emily Carr and paintings by H.G. Glyde, Walter J. Phillips, David Thauberger, Michael Cameron, Chris Flodberg, and many more.
"We've had bids on 90 per cent," said Doug Levis, owner of Levis Fine Art Auctions. "But I think there will be a lot of activity between now and the closing on Sunday which just happens to be Catherine Whyte's birthday."
Levis says people all over North America are interested in what's up for grabs. So far upward of $70,000 has been raised but there are still three more days of bidding. Everything raised will go to the museum.
"It's a good cause and we've said OK, there's going to be no buyer's premium," said Levis. "You pay $10,000 on the item, there's no buyer's premium, there is of course the appropriate taxes."
Livingstone says the money will be put to good use digitizing material in its archives to be viewed by virtual visitors.
"Peter (Whyte) and Catherine were very close friends with the Stoney Nakoda," said Livingstone. "And we've really revived that relationship and looking at some new programming involving them directly."
Chris Green is a bladesmith who makes functional art. He's a big supporter of museums and wanted to donate something to help the Whyte Museum.
"I looked at some old photographs of mountain men circa 1850s," said Green. "One of the fellows was all in buck skin and had this big bandolier kind of thing on his body and had this massive knife sticking out of the back and I thought that's perfect, I'll just do my take on what was possibly in that fellow's sheath."
Green researched camping knives of that period and came up with something he called a 'knatchet', a combination knife and hatchet.
"It had to be able to do everything from clear bush, to prepare the meal, to shave, anything else you could throw at it," said Green. "It had to be big, it had to be substantial, it also had to have a bit of style to it too."
See Green's knife along with all the other items up for auction online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.