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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.