Hope Bridges ready for another successful gala
Manny Everett
Times Contributor
The Hope Bridges Society of Strathmore is gearing up for their ninth annual Gala being held on Thursday, Oct. 23 at the Hope Covenant Church. Their yearly ‘Artists Among Us’ Gala is a diverse welcoming celebration of art and the artists in our community. Over the years it has become a fun celebration of art in its various mediums and genres for artists from all over Wheatland County and Strathmore.
The night will feature various musical entertainment as well as gallery displays. Musical pieces will include Sing Your High Note workshop participants, African Drumming with Sarah Haughey, Rachel Konschuh and her musical partner Lisa Jacobs, Lilly Furfaro, the Student Chorale from Rosebud School of the Arts, and Chuck and the Amigos to name a few.
The art gallery for the evening will be an intimate affair with a community piece that was created on Canada Day this year. The Go Green Up-cycling group will have a number of fall pieces on display as well, including some pieces that were commissioned as part of a wedding this fall. A number of unique pieces will be on display by up-and-coming artist Robbie King who is an abstract acrylic artist.
The staff and board members of Hope Bridges are doing a featured piece and will display a sample of painted quilts which won the ‘Let’s Make a Pitch’ contest that was hosted and created by the Town of Strathmore. The idea behind the project was to connect adults in the community while they got the opportunity to discover and experience art, and at the same time, beautify the area downtown.
Director of Hope Bridges, Wanda Reinholdt says, “I am excited about the event because it has become an arts community event, and as people are becoming aware of what Hope Bridges is and does it has quickly become a tradition. Strathmore residents have called the office because they know that the gala happens shortly after Thanksgiving and they want to attend.”
Hope Bridges Board Chair, Sheila Konschuh says, “It is my favourite time of the year. The event is evolving, growing and deepening our need to connect as community. Art is such an amazing tool to bring people together of all ages and abilities to one common ground. Art opens the doors of our hearts to appreciate the beauty in the things that are created including those we sit beside when we create.”
Tickets for this year’s Gala are $10 at the door only. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For more information about the gala please contact Wanda Reinholdt at 403-983-3640 or go to www.hopebridges.ca.