Led by world-renowned carver Bill Henderson, a galaxy of artists, both aboriginal and non-aboriginal, are lending their skills to this year’s Art of the Paddle.
Scheduled for Oct. 26, the event will take place in Campbell River’s Maritime Heritage Centre and will feature both a silent auction and a regular auction.
This is the third Art of the Paddle evening with the event being a major fundraiser for the Campbell River Hospice Society as well as the BraveHearts Dragon Boat team which co-hosts and organizes the entire gala occasion.
Paddles which have been made from solid blocks of wood by local aboriginal carvers are then passed on to local artists who decorate them before the paddles are auctioned off. Led by their patriarch, several other members of the Henderson family will be displaying their artistic skills, together with other artists from the Campbell River area. The finished products are one-of-a-kind works of art. Prior to the event, the paddles will be on display at the business premises of their local sponsors and for the 10 days prior to Oct. 26, all of them will be on show in the Royal Bank of Canada building on Shopper’s Row, Campbell River.
Those attending this year’s event will be privileged to witness the amazing skills of local artisans as well as supporting the effort to bring a Hospice facility to Campbell River to serve the future needs of residents of this community and the surrounding area.
Tickets are now on sale at $20 each and can be obtained either from the Hospice office at 104-301 Dogwood (next door to the Curling Rink), at the Royal Bank or by contacting the Campbell River Hospice Society at 250-286-1121; e-mail julie.collis@crhospice.org.