ONLINE SHOE ART AUCTION TO RAISE MONEY FOR BREAST CANCER

The Okotoks Art Gallery (Town of Okotoks) is hosting an online art auction from October 1 to October 21, 2012 to raise funds for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“This project brought together a multitude of forces – celebrities, artists, galleries, educational institutions – all joining hands, so to speak, to create a future without breast cancer,” said Allan Boss, Cultural and Historical Services Team Leader for the Town of Okotoks.

Pieces of art being auctioned off include 12 pairs of shoes from remarkable Canadian women, which have then been transformed into works of art by 14 Canadian artists. Each of the women who donated a pair of their favourite shoes is a celebrity from the world of television, music, sports or politics and has a personal link to breast cancer.

“We have all been affected by breast cancer. We all must work together to end breast cancer. It is urgent,” Tina Keeper, former Member of Parliament and celebrity shoe donor.

“I support the ‘For the Love of Shoes’ project as it is a fun way to show support in the fight for a future without breast cancer,” said Catriona Le May Doan, Olympic Gold Medalist and celebrity shoe donor.

Shoes in the art auction have been donated from celebrities like sports favourites Catriona Le May Doan, Cassie Campbell and Hayley Wickenheiser; the Right Honourable Kim Campbell; prima ballerina Karen Kain; singers Jann Arden and Nikki Yanofsky; Tina Keeper; internationally acclaimed guitarist Liona Boyd; the Honourable Belinda Stronach; and broadcast journalists Wendy Mesley and Beverly Thomson.

“It was an honour and privilege to receive Karen Kain’s ballet shoes to turn into a work of art and honouring the beautiful people in my life and all of those who struggle with any kind of cancer, said Shirley Paradis, who transformed Kain’s shoes into a work of art. “I welcome the sale for this work of art and providing more money for research.”

Bidding begins Monday, October 1, 2012 at 9 AM and ends Sunday, October 21, 2012 at 9 PM. The online auction is being hosted at www.elevateauctions.com/fortheloveofshoes.

The finished art pieces were originally displayed in 2010 as part of the For the Love of Shoes exhibit – a celebration of women and a way to shine a spotlight on breast cancer in a unique, creative and inspiring way. The art pieces reflect the change in the lives of those with breast cancer, and encompass the artists' and donors' personal stories of how breast cancer has affected them.

The For the Love of Shoes project is a partnership between the Okotoks Art Gallery and the Alberta College of Art + Design (ACAD). The original art exhibit was curated by Dee Fontans of the Alberta College of Art and Design. This online auction is hosted by the Okotoks Art Gallery (Town of Okotoks), and proceeds raised from the auction support the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Prairies/NWT Region.