A local environmental advocacy and education group will be auctioning off original art and jewelry to help fund efforts to reduce Collingwood's carbon footprint and educate residents on choices that use more sustainable systems to preserve the earth.
Collingwood Climate Action Team is hosting the fundraising auction, thanks to donations made by a local artist. Those interested in making purchases can start viewing items tomorrow (Wednesday) and the auction goes live on Thursday.
The items were created by Collingwood-based artist Chris Marin, who donated 30 paintings and 23 pieces of jewelry for the fundraiser.
Marin is an artist in multiple mediums, experimenting with different techniques for mostly (though not exclusively) abstract paintings. She said her process starts with a blank canvas and is a "free and easy" journey to completion. Her works have been exhibited by the Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts for the 2020 charity online auction and for the 38th annual juried show, at the Thornbury town hall for the municipal art program juried show, and at the Urban Gallery in Toronto.
All of the proceeds from the upcoming art and jewelry auction will go toward the Collingwood Climate Action Team (CCAT) public programs, which are education-based.
The group is hosting a series of "Climate Cafes" on Nov. 3, 15 and Dec. 6 to facilitate discussions about the climate and ecological crisis. The November sessions will be at Summit Social House from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and the December session will be online. The cafes are limited to people aged 18 and over.
The group is also co-hosting an energy event with Green Venture to explore the option of heat pumps to heat the home. The online event takes place Nov. 22 at 6:30 p.m. and will provide practical advice and answers about home heating efficiently and affordably with electricity instead of natural gas. An in-person 'open house' will follow allowing participants to visit three or four Collingwood homes that have switched from gas to heat pumps.
CCAT is bringing back its Carbon Conversations series with two sessions this month about looking to a "low-carbon future." The sessions take place Nov. 8 in-person and Nov. 24 virtually. To sign up or learn more about upcoming CCAT events, visit their website at collingwoodclimateaction.com. You can also find the link to the online auction via the CCAT webpage.
Online bidding for the items begins Thursday, Nov. 3 at 9 a.m. and closes Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 8 p.m.
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