Art attack for Habitat

The Toronto Police Service Habitat for Humanity Toronto Women Build project is going high-class with a wine and cheese fundraiser at a west-end gallery on June 19.

The art sale, silent auction and wine-tasting at the Latitude 44 gallery on Dundas St. W. will allow patrons to look over great Canadian art and sip on well-crafted Niagara wine.

"It's a unique event," said organizer D/Sgt Kim Scanlan, of the On the Level Rebels Women Build team. "It's a great gallery space with some amazing works on display."

The wine-and-cheese fundraiser is $25 and runs from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tickets can be bought through the Sex Crimes Unit, 11 Division or the gallery.

Over 350 women from the Service are raising money to build a new townhome development near Lawrence Ave. E. and Manse Ave.

Most of the women will participate in building the Habitat for Humanity community for deserving families in the fall. Those families chosen to receive a townhome get a 25-year, interest-free loan after putting in 500 hours building their new community.

Fundraising continues as the build approaches its $100,000 goal - enough to build a townhome - having raised over $82,000 to date.

"It's a great cause - I like everything about it," said gallery owner, Janet DiBernardo.

She promised a relaxing night full of great Canadian art, from sculpture to oil on canvas, without pretension.

"It's a nice, casual enjoyable evening and a chance to see local artists."

She said supporting Canadian art and the local community is important to the gallery.

"We have Canadian art in every form," DiBernardo said. "We loved to get involved in the community because it has been so good to us."

Riverview Cellars Winery is providing the wine for the evening.

Silent auctions items include:

  • Bruce Andrew McKay painting
  • Turn-of-century cooking lessons @ Old Fort York
  • Intimate dinner/boat cruise on Lake Ontario

The gallery is donating 10% of all the art sales to Habitat for Humanity.

The Lattitude 44 Gallery is located at 2900 Dundas St. W., one block west of Keele St