A Gallery Ball for the Books!

Date: Oct. 19, 2019 Winnipeg Art Gallery Gala Ball 2019. Photo by Jason Halstead

As the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s premier annual fundraising gala, the Gallery Ball grows ever year. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this year’s event, by attending and donating generously, all in support of youth art and outreach programs.

You are making a difference everyday here at the Gallery and out in the community. The purchase of just one ticket gives 43 children to access WAG programming, which means this year’s sold-out event will enable close to 20, 000 youth to benefit from arts education. That is what the Ball is all about.

It’s also the one night of the year when guests dine in the galleries surrounded by art, and this unique dining experience is enhanced through floral designs inspired by the art on display, amazing food, a one-of-a-kind auction, live music, and much more.

Check out Jason Halstead’s photos from Gallery Ball 2019.

Guests took in some superb exhibitions, including the Kent Monkman’s acclaimed Shame and Prejudice: A Story of Resilience. Now an internationally renowned artist based in Toronto, Monkman grew up taking art classes at the WAG. Today, Monkman is a powerful voice for Winnipeg and a beacon of artistic excellence. The Gallery Ball supports such programming for young people, enabling more youth to experience art and art making.

The extraordinary silent auction highlighted our community’s generosity and enthusiasm for the arts. Works by Tony Scherman, Kent Monkman, Abraham Anghik Ruben, and John Paskievich, whose work is all on view in the galleries, were included in the auction. From a Caribbean holiday with Silversea Cruises to other unique experiences highlighting our province, guests even had the opportunity to bid on a dinner on the WAG Inuit Art Centre construction site made possible by Inn at The Forks and PCL Constructors. See all the auction items below.

Joyce Berry, Chair of the 2019 Gallery Ball, blew us away with her dedication and infectious energy. Thank you Joyce for going above and beyond to achieve incredible success for the Ball, and for your generous support as a donor! Thank you to 2019 Gallery Ball committee members: Aynsley Cockshott, Hennie Corrin, and Susan Knox, along with WAG Director & CEO, Dr. Stephen Borys, as well as the help of the WAG Development Committee and Board of Directors.

Volunteers and WAG staff brought the Ball to life, thanks to a strong foundation of long-term local partnerships including some of Winnipeg’s most creative florists, bakers, and event suppliers. We cannot thank our sponsors, donors, and partners enough. See the complete list of supporters here.

Stay tuned for details about next year’s gala, which will be a big one considering the opening of the WAG Inuit Art Centre next year.

If you wish to support our cause throughout the year, please visit wag.ca/donate