Artists come through for university students

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"The arts community came through like you wouldn't believe," said Sarah Pocklington, art co-ordinator for the University of Alberta Native Studies department silent auction.

Pocklington is describing the response of dozens of artists who donated art pieces to the University of Alberta's Native Studies Department.

Their work was all part of a silent auction featured at Edmonton's downtown Latitude 53 Gallery on Feb. 28.

More than 80 individual art pieces were donated to raise funds for the Student Research Excellence Fund, explained co-ordinator Theresa Ferguson. The art included a variety of mediums - wood, soapstone, clay, canvas, paper, leather, beadwork, drums, vests, moccasins, and more.

Public interest in the silent auction was apparent from the outset as people were lined up and banging on the door well before the 2 p.m. opening, said Pocklington.

Upon entering, many of the visitors became caught up in some traditional culture as they joined hands in a round dance to the drumming and singing of Northern Cree.

The auction, which ran until 8 p.m., witnessed a flurry of activity in its final hour as bidders scurried from one piece of art to another in an effort to be the final bidder for their favorite pieces.

The quality of work varied greatly and included an Allen Sapp original of children playing hockey, a Jane Ash Poitras acrylic on canvas, as well as pieces by Allen Ball, Gail Duiker and Lou P. Cole.

Despite some of the bigger names, the highest price paid was for the work of local artist Clayton Kootenay. It was a soapstone carving that fetched $600. Sapp's work pushed past the $400 dollar mark and Ash Poitras' for an even $400.

Overall, the sale went well, with a total of better than $7,000 realized, said Pocklington.

"I'm pretty pleased . . . and exhausted," said Pocklington at the conclusion of the sale.

The date of the auction was timely because it followed immediately on the heels of a pay period for many people, she said.

The funds raised are meant to assist Aboriginal university students in Native Studies who are working on research projects that take them into communities, explained Ferguson.

Generally speaking, it is used by students in the upper level courses of their program, added Ferguson.

It also provides needed dollars for such things as transportation and other costs, said Pocklington. She worked on organizing the auction since last November.

The money that came in is all clear profit because of generous donations of art and because of the space for the sale that was provided by gallery manager, Todd James.