Impact of our Gala in support of Ukraine - Heritage, Spirit and Future
June 26, 2023
Thank you to everyone who joined us at Ukraine - Heritage, Spirit and Future! What a joy to witness the artists’ heartfelt performances, and to have shared this with over 450 attendees!
From traditional to contemporary music and dance, through classical and folk, guests had a taste of diverse expressions of Ukrainian cultural excellence, which is as alive and necessary as ever. The artists – both Canadians of Ukrainian heritage and very special guests Olena and Yaroslav from the Kyiv-based band Tonka – were delighted with the warm welcome you provided.
The courage and energy of artists on the ground in Ukraine are a tremendous source of inspiration to us. In addition to the 20 prizes of $10,000 each awarded to outstanding artists of Ukrainian heritage, we are delighted to report that we have raised over $398,000.00 to help restore an arts facility damaged by the war in Ukraine.
We will continue fundraising until the end of December, so it's not too late to help! By supporting this project, you are fostering artistic excellence and the longevity of the arts in Ukraine against the heartbreaking forces of a brutal war.
What’s next?
We are fortunate to be working with the excellent team at the Embassy of Ukraine in Canada to select the institution that will receive these much-needed funds. To receive our announcement of the cultural institution we will help restore, subscribe to our mailing list.
Photos
To see photos from the event, visit our Facebook page.
Silent auction
The silent auction raised over $7,000! This was possible thanks to the generous support of businesses, artists, and individuals who selflessly donated the gorgeous items many of you took home!
Aesthete MD
Black Tartan Kitchen
Bloomfields
Canada Council For the Arts BANQUE D’ART BANK du Conseil des arts du Canada
Chef’s Paradise
Edward Burtynsky
Gray Line
Jacobsons
Joan Evans
Lisa Hollowach-Bell
Mariya Orlenko
Martin Golland
Mette Baker
Oksana Rewa
Oresta: Clean Beauty Simplified
Ottawa Art Gallery | Galerie d’art d’Ottawa
Ottawa Chamberfest
Ottawa Jazz Festival
Patsea Griffin
Star Motors Mercedes Benz
The Embassy of Germany in Canada
The National Arts Centre | Centre national des arts
The National Gallery of Canada | Musée des beaux-arts du Canada
The Royal Canadian Mint | Monnaie royale canadienne
Val Knows Vintage
Those who took part in the silent auction also enjoyed delicious wine donated by Rosewood Wines, varenyky donated by Cheemo Perogies, and desserts donated by Orange Turtle Bakery.
Other Foundation news
To launch us into the next years of our work, this video features words from Gerda Hnatyshyn and from laureates of our 2017 REVEAL Indigenous Art Awards and our 2022 Ukraine - Heritage, Spirit and Future Awards: Deantha Edmunds, Borys Ostapienko, Lena Saltykova, and the Moravski Chamber Choir in Kyiv.
In 20 years, the Hnatyshyn Foundation has supported Canadian artists with over $4.3 Million in awards, grants and residencies to emerging and mid-career artists, including:
Over $1.5 Million to Indigenous artists;
$100,000 to Canadian artists of Ukrainian heritage;
$100,000 to Ukrainian artists impacted by the war;
Over $1.3 Million to undergraduate and graduate students in the performing arts.
None of this would have been possible without you. We look forward to announcing the artistic facility that will benefit from the funds raised from this project.
In the meantime, stay tuned! We’ll be announcing the laureates of our Mid-Career Awards, Saunderson Prizes, and Developing Artist Grants very soon!
Slava Ukraini!
Ukraine – Heritage, Spirit and Future Committee
Gerda Hnatyshyn
Marianne Brown
Sarah Jasmine Hodgson
Betty Kennedy
Jill Sinclair
Rosemary Thompson
