BLOOMFIELD, December 19, 2023 - The spirit of Christmas was at an all-time high at ANDARA Gallery as artist-owners, Andrew Csafordi and Tara Wilkinson presented the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation with an early Christmas gift.

As part of their annual ‘ODE to JOY’ Art Show and Sale, Tara and Andrew (with the help of wonderful friends) festively decorated their beautiful century-old barn with a stunning 18-foot Christmas tree from Skootamatta Christmas Tree Farm in Flinton, Ontario and welcomed residents and visitors alike for the fourth consecutive year for a “Holiday Photo in the Barn.”

Over 500 guests brought their camera phones, and co-owner Andrew Csafordi took their photo in exchange for a donation to the PECMH Foundation’s Back the Build campaign. The fundraiser ran from November 17 until December 17, 2023.

Individuals, couples, families, work colleagues, book clubs and groups of friends came to the barn for a photo - raising $6,700.00 for the campaign to build a new hospital in Prince Edward County - bringing ANDARA Gallery’s four-year total raised to $30,000 … with over 2,500 visitors (plus pets) photographed to date!

A highlight of the event was when Nadia Knarr and Paul Bastiaansen from Noble Beast Farms brought their lovely alpacas to ANDARA Gallery to participate in the photo shoots on November 18th and 19th.

“We were happy once again to provide such a joyful experience that brought people together from near and far (including PEI, Quebec and BC) to create happy memories while raising money for the new hospital campaign,” said Wilkinson. This year’s guests ranged from just four weeks old to 97 years young! Highlights included a surprise marriage proposal in front of the tree (she said YES!), the celebration of a 60^th wedding anniversary and an 80^th birthday. Many people came dressed in the spirit of the holidays, wearing everything from bowties and fancy dresses … to superhero PJs, eccentric holiday suits and festive sweaters!

“Thank you to Tara and Andrew of ANDARA Gallery and everyone who supported this event. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference in the care you and your family will receive in our new hospital,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign co-chair. “We are extremely grateful to everyone who supported this festive fundraiser again this year as we work to modernize and enhance health care services to ensure people living in and visiting our community continue to have access to care close to home.”

ANDARA Gallery is a contemporary art gallery showcasing fine art paintings and photography year-round in the heart of Prince Edward County. ANDARA Gallery plans to continue this holiday tradition next year and thanks everyone for sharing this joyful experience. Many of the photos taken this year can be seen on their homepage slideshow at andaragallery.com and on Facebook and Instagram at #andaragallerypec.

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to advance health care for the people of Prince Edward County and patients of the hospital.

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Photo: Pictured at ANDARA Gallery from the left at back: Briar Boyce, senior development officer with PECMHF; Sally Cowan, Back the Build campaign cabinet member; Monica Alyea, PECMHF board member; Andrew Csafordi, co-owner of ANDARA Gallery.

Seated at the front: Tara Wilkinson, co-owner of ANDARA Gallery; Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson; and Barbara McConnell, PECMHF board chairperson

Photo credit: Shannon Coull