By Tony Magee

Canberra’s arts community members arrived in droves, along with patrons and sponsors, to support the 2024 Capital Arts Patrons Organisation Art Auction and Gala on Saturday at Grainger Gallery, Fyshwick.

The idea was to raise as much money as possible for distribution to Canberra artists across the entire spectrum who need assistance, through grant applications, to complete a major body of work.

This is achieved through ticket sales to the event, plus a silent and live auction of a large array of visual art pieces.

CAPO President Peter de Deckker, said that the arts belonged to an incredibly tough industry but had proven to be very resilient,” adding, “I am confident that with the collective conviction that art contributes to the quality of our lives, CAPO will continue to productively foster and promote this precious commodity.”

The centrepiece of the evening was the live auction by Andrew Gaynor.

Classical guitarist Matthew Withers and pianist Katherine McDonald kicked off with solo performances, the pianist and singer Leo Amadeus Scott then took to the stage to sing some of his original pieces, later accompanying  Andrew Barrow and soprano Keren Dalzell-Woodlock in operatic favourites.

Visual art highlights included Mottainai by Cassandra Dove, Discourse on the Concourse by Jeannette Muir and Glimpse by Judy Power Thomson.

Yours truly purchased three items on the night, but it’s all for an important cause.