I have a crinkled-up piece of lined paper with a drawing of a brown horse enjoying a sunny day under a rainbow. I drew it when I was six or seven and gave it to my grandmother. Unbeknownst to me, she kept that drawing in her wallet for over 30 years…taking it everywhere.

It wasn’t until she went into long-term care, and I kept her wallet for safekeeping, that I discovered it. She has since died, and that crinkled-up piece of paper is now framed in my bedroom. It’s one of my most cherished pieces of art.

I also have a piece of a shower curtain from when I shared a home with my brother and a roommate in my 20s that my sister-in-law had framed for us after we all parted ways. It, too, evokes a feeling of nostalgia when I read all the band names on it and reflect on that time in my life. It didn’t start as art, but it’s been made into a piece of art.

These are a few pieces that I treasure. And I love seeing what other people treasure. I have always been fascinated by the art people collect and how they display it. And I am a sucker for pieces that are original and one-of-a-kind.

It’s fun to pretend that I am an art aficionado, though I am in no way a subject matter expert. Like many, I think I know what I like, and I certainly think I know what I don’t like. However, a new appreciation unfolds when you step back and take a minute to learn more about a piece of art, who created it, and the accompanying story.

Hopefully, many of you know the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF), in partnership with five local galleries, is hosting an art auction supporting our new hospital campaign on Saturday, June 1.

Bid for the Build art auction will be a unique opportunity to participate in an elegant evening at Picton’s historic Crystal Palace, mix with collectors and art lovers, enjoy bubbles and hors d’oeuvres, and purchase significant artworks by professional artists in our exciting live and silent auctions. We encourage you to buy tickets now, as only 300 are available.

Leading up to June 1, we are launching an online platform that will be open for two weeks before the live event. This site will offer up all the art appearing in the auction for reserve bidding, which allows people from afar to have an opportunity to participate and allows for all of you to peruse the fabulous works and consider an early bid. The platform will open on May 10 and run until 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29. At that time, the site will close, and opening bids on June 1 will begin where the reserves are left off from the online platform.

I’ve spent the last two weeks uploading images to an online site. It’s allowed me to sit with the pieces and form an opinion as to what I like about them. I feel fortunate to have this opportunity, as curated art is something I’m not generally exposed to. Now that I’ve seen all the pieces, I know you’re all in for a memorable experience once the site goes live.

The art the galleries have collected is varied, and I’m confident at least one of the pieces will hold a special place in your heart. Our gallery partners have worked hard to ensure that unique art is accessible to our community at all different price points. Bid for the Build is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We can’t wait to share these pieces with you.

We have colourful pop art from renowned Canadian artist Charles Pachter and a thought-provoking quilt by Picton resident Bill Stearman. There is a stunning triptych by local artist Pamela Carter and much more.

There will even be a unique experience for any art lover or collector: an opportunity to spend time with established artist John G. Lennard in his studio – discussing art, the creative process, or wherever the conversation leads. At the same time, John will sketch you. Then, together, you’ll choose one from a series of sketches, the one that resonates most. 

Our team is so excited for you to walk into the Crystal Palace on June 1 and see how beautifully displayed the art will be. It will be like visiting a gallery. We hope you will consider joining us.

Who knows? Maybe you will find your next treasure. A piece that brightens your life and finds a happy space in your home.

Tickets to the auction on June 1 are available online at www.pecmhf.ca/bid-for-the-build or by calling the foundation at 613-476-1008 ext. 4502. Reservations of 10 or more tickets will receive a 5% discount. 

The online platform opens May 10 at 10:00 a.m. and can be accessed by visiting www.32auctions.com/bidforthebuild2024.