Donald
Teuma-Castelletti
BRISTOL Sept. 23, 2017
A special gathering was held Saturday evening, as artPontiac brought together as many volunteers as they could from the early days of their events.
Welcoming volunteers from the first artists’ studio tour in 1990 all the way through to the many events hosted this year, the congregation at the Jack Graham Community Centre in Bristol paid homage to all the help – and time – dedicated to the group and its success.
“We’re here to celebrate all of the volunteers that have given their free time to build this organization,” said Élaine Gaudet, one of the evening’s organizers. “They’ve worked tirelessly since the first tour in 1990, so why not publicly say we really appreciate everything they’ve done, from the bottom of our hearts.”
Extending the invitation to any volunteer who has taken the time to help in some way or form, the announcement was first put out in January that this gathering would be held. Volunteers were asked to self-identify, and rope in other volunteers they knew of, to make sure everyone was honoured and thanked via the evening’s fun.
Kicking off with time for socializing and mingling, over 125 people trickled in, meeting old friends and new acquaintances. Before long, a half-hour presentation and official welcoming settled the group in, as Gaudet and other members of the evening’s organizers gave a brief history on artPontiac and their initiatives. Of course, the thank-you’s started with this initial speech, including everyone from the volunteers to the evening’s sponsors.
“A volunteer cares, a volunteer has commitment,” said Gaudet as she addressed the crowd. “The room is filled with these people tonight.”
Gaudet shared just how much volunteers mean to an organization like artPontiac, citing a study from Heritage Canada that the average volunteer dedicates 120 hours each year to the arts.
Speaking to Gaudet after the event, she gave some hard examples of those who dedicate their time to their events, and the success that rises because of all the volunteers. Highlighting Chris Seifried and Louise Guay, she often thought that they dedicated a full workday of their time per week to keeping things running. After being pressed further, they came to the conclusion that they’d often spend a full workweek at a time as treasurer and communications director, respectively, in order to stay on track.
Gaudet also highlighted that the success of artPontiac and its events has had a snowball effect on the Pontiac, affecting much more than just the local culture. She looked to the economic impact that different events have led to, from a local couple opening a winery because they enjoyed hosting the community in their home, to the opening of new art galleries, not to mention a couple of locals being featured in a Montreal art competition.
After the initial speeches were wrapped up, the floor was opened to dancing, as local musicians A Certain Class took the stage. The group was free to mingle again, and a photo booth was started up, letting the volunteers take a photo to commemorate the evening. The night’s fun would be capped off with a chance to share favourite memories with the group, or how the events had shaped their lives and love of the arts.
The night’s fun was organized by seven volunteers and artists, and sponsored by a huge amount of local businesses.