Laurier Heights Art Group show raises $1,700 for Ukrainian refugees in Edmonton
The Laurier Heights Art Group held its annual art show and sale on Sunday, with a multitude of sunflower paintings up for sale in support of Ukraine.
This year each artist painted a sunflower as part of a fundraiser for the Ukrainian Canadian Congress of Alberta, a non-profit society representing more than 365,000 Ukrainian-Canadians.
Marnie McDougall, the president of the Laurier Heights Art Group, said the event is a chance to show everyone what the members have been up to over the years and sell some of their work.
"We've had amazing turnout today," McDougall told CTV News Edmonton on Sunday. "It's just been great, and I've really enjoyed doing this with all these people."
This year, each artist painted an extra piece of a sunflower – or several, in some cases – to help fundraise for Ukrainian refugees in Edmonton.
There were as many variations of sunflowers as there were styles of painters, McDougall said, though some may have had to do a little more brainstorming than others.
"Many of the men have never painted a flower in their lives, and so it was kind of fun to watch everyone go through this process," McDougall said.
"They're wonderful sunflowers, every one of them."
McDougall said she was hoping for a few hundred dollars. But, by the end of the event, the show had raised over $1,700 through sunflower painting sales and other donations.
"I couldn't be happier to be involved with it," she said. "Really."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Advocacy groups speak out against domestic violence comments by Nova Scotia minister
Several Nova Scotia groups that assist women are speaking out against comments on domestic violence by Justice Minister Brad Johns, and at least one is calling for his dismissal.