The red carpet was rolled out Saturday night as guests adorned in pearls and tuxedos gathered for the MacLaren Art Centre’s largest fundraiser of the year.
Guests attending MacLaren Art Centre’s Black Tie Gala showed off their pearly whites — and their pearls of white — while making their way down the red carpet Saturday night.
Approximately 120 guests came out to support the downtown Barrie art gallery during its largest fundraiser of the year, including gallery donors and sponsors, said board member and event chair Michael Kuluva.
The theme for this year’s fundraiser was a “Pearl Affair,” he said, which meant guests were asked to wear their best pearls and their best ball gown.
“Men (were) encouraged to wear tuxedos, and if they want to wear some pearls as well that is encouraged. It’s definitely a fun way to dress up and spice up a black tie event,” Kuluva added.
It was also an amazing way to give right back to the MacLaren, he said, adding the evening featured the red carpet, an oyster bar, water paintings of each couple during cocktail hour, and a 360 photo booth, followed by a sit down meal catered by Chopped Canada winner, and Orillia native, Melanie Robinson.
Juno award winner Rêve, a Canadian singer-songwriter, surprised guests following the dinner and the evening also included a live auction featuring prizes including box seats at a Toronto Maple Leafs game as well as a variety of other “amazing prizes” for people to get out and enjoy in Simcoe County, Kuluva told BarrieToday. In total, the live auction raised $40,000.
Wayne Hay has been attending the gala for the last decade and said he’s been a long time supporter of the local gallery.
“It’s a wonderful organization. I love this building, I love this location and I love the people here,” he added.
“They need to stay in the community and this is one of the great events that they do. The gala is always a great time to come out, get dressed up and enjoy it.”
Last year’s gala raised approximately $130,000, said Kuluva.
“We would love to make as much as we did last year … so we are hoping to either hit that or go above it,” he said, adding that all of the funds raised through the gala go directly back to the MacLaren Art Centre.
“It goes right back to all of the organizations within the MacLaren and the school projects … and keeping the gallery open. It really does impact all of the programs the MacLaren offers.
“We are just looking to really step up the community fundraising and give back as much as possible.”
The gallery, Kuluva said, is the only place in the city where visitors can experience such “amazing and diverse art and arts programming.”
“We are just really excited to have a gala like this that can raise the funds that are needed to support the day-to-day to keep this community centre going,” he added.
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