Blue and yellow are on the walls and the display cases at Rainforest Arts on Willow Street in Chemainus in support of Ukraine.
The Blue & Yellow for Ukraine show and fundraiser is underway at 9781 Willow St. and will continue throughout the rest of May and all of June and July. Hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays.
“Our committee just said ‘what can we do, we’ve got to do something,’” said Peggy Grigor, Rainforest Arts’ committee chair and the 3D arts and display coordinator.
Rainforest Arts is managed and operated by a committee of the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society. Their combined talents include experience as artists, gallery owners, marketing and display.
“All the pictures on the wall are part of the fundraiser,” added Grigor. “The gallery donates all their commissions on the sales.”
It’s a win-win all around for purchasers and the Ukrainian people. When buying something off the wall at Rainforest Arts during the three months, you will not only get something wonderful to display in your home or give as a gift, but you’ll also be providing humanitarian aid to those displaced or injured by the war in Ukraine.
In many cases, sales of the art on the walls will be split 50-50 between the artists and the relief fund.
“Some of the artists said ‘I want to donate 100 per cent of our sales and there’s some of those, too,’” said Grigor.
Those works will feature an identifying sticker on them.
A portion of the price of some labelled 3D works on the shelves and plinths will also be forwarded to Rotary Foundation Canada for disbursement.
People always ask how to ensure their money gets to those in need and that’s where Daphne Carlyle comes in through her connections as a Chemainus Rotary Club member. Donations are handled by Rotary Foundation Canada’s Ukraine Disaster Fund.
“That way we know our money is going where it should go,” said Grigor.
“Everything is well-vetted,” added Carlyle. “Even at the club level when we have the bottle drop, that’s where we send it as opposed to directly to Ukraine.”
The Rotary Foundation Canada organization has received 14 consecutive four-star evaluations from Charity Navigator. It’s also one of the charities with the lowest administration costs.
“People can make a donation to Ukraine, too,” added Kathy Wachs, treasurer and community liaison for the management committee.
There’s a donation jar within the store and lots to check out for the cause.
