St. Matthew’s Treasures Auction returns!

By Margret B. Nankivell

St. Matthew’s Anglican Church’s popular Treasures Auction will be held on Saturday, October 19, from 11a.m. to 5 p.m. The triennial sale, which includes live and silent auctions, has fabulous hors d’oeuvres, a tea and coffee room, and an Arts and Travel wine bar. In character with St. Matthew’s music tradition, entertainment, including harp, piano and violin, will be provided.

Bidders can purchase lovely gifts, stays at vacation properties such as resorts in the Caribbean and Panama, and entertainment items such as dinners, sports and theatre tickets.

The outreach component of this year’s auction focuses on youth and will raise money for the Black Canadian Scholarship Fund and the Ottawa Youth Services Housing Residence project. The balance will go towards St. Matthew’s projects.

The auction has received extraordinary support from local businesses such as Tracy Arnett Realty Ltd., Capital Home Hardware (Glebe), Davidson’s Jewellers, Donohue & Bousquet, and McKeen Metro Glebe.

Works of art by noted Canadian artists have been donated to the church. These include a limited edition print “Gulls and Bears” by the acclaimed Inuit artist Kenojuak Ashevak (1927–2013) and paintings by Hortense Mattice Gordon (1886–1961), Edith Grace Coombs (1890–1986), Maude Jemmett (1893–1986) and Richard Vaskelis, (1947–2010). Works by Ottawa artists Randolph T. Parker, Huibert van der Staay and Heather Bale can be purchased.

Many of the pieces donated to the auction this year are contemporary or abstract. On offer will be superb limited edition prints and silkscreens by Bruno Bobak (1923–2012), Gordon Smith (1919–), J.K. Esler (1933–2001) and Benita Sanders, now living in Haida Gwaii. Two ceramic plates by Japanese master potter Tatsuzo Shimaoka (1919–2007). A fine selection of Inuit carvings will be featured.

Not to be missed is the remarkable Silver Vaults that sell sterling silver, some very old, as well as jewellery, crystal and china. This year, the silent auction bazaar in the church hall will display antique furniture, as well as some lovely carpets, including a Mafrash Shasavan side panel, circa 1900.

Registration will cost $20 for adults and $10 for students (preregistration at www.stmatthewsottawa.ca or at the door). The price includes nibbles, admission to the tea room, and a glass of wine or other beverage (ID may be required).

Margret B. Nankivell is a long-time St. Matthew’s parishioner and regular contributor on music to the Glebe Report.