Montreal Times readers who like animals probably want to attend an event on March 29. That is when a silent auction hosted by Les Belles et les Bêtes takes place in Montreal. Art sales from this charity event will benefit animal shelters not funded by government where dogs, cats, wolves, bears, silver foxes, raccoons, and a possum live. Event organizer Kim Bruneau explains what is on the menu for the soiree:
The artists that we picked are all amazing, renowned and have exposed in many places.. But what we wanted most is to include artists who believe in our cause, real animal lovers, who wanted to make a difference and I couldn’t be more proud of the outcome. We have paintings to auction for the cause and we also have live artists who will blow your mind during that night. We have a painter who will create a unique piece live, we have DJ Yo-C spinning all night and we will listen to live performances by an opera singer and also a hip hop violinist. Not your ordinary lineup!
Bruneau goes on to describe the culinary fare: it’s a 5 à 7 (to 11.. ), open bar/vegan bites and every detail has been calculated. We have staff from Noire Bar Service creating specialty cocktails with artistic touches and delicious wines selected by sommelière Marie-Helène Desjardins to pair with different foods that the chef of Moretti will have prepared in collaboration with Beyond Meat and Bice Catering.
All this is in aid of three animal charities: Refuge Nymous in Lanaudiere (which will receive 50%), Mira Foundation (25%), and veterinary hospital Passion Compassion’s program for spaying stray cats (25%).
Nymous is a small refuge and its owners have dedicated their lives to saving wild animals. I was charmed and fell in love with the animals, the people and their mission. With the proceeds, we will build an artesian well (they constantly run out of water) and if there is money left overs I want to build a nursery for the babies and a quarantine.
Bruneau discovered Nymous after unexpectedly finding herself caring for an orphaned baby raccoon which was difficult to place in any other animal shelter. She also speaks of the other animals there including a possum to be released in the spring, a coyote with a titanium leg, a wolf, deers and a bear: We have 4 beautiful silver foxes we saved from a fur farm and many other animals. The refuge remains the forever home of those who are handicapped like Lucio our blind raccoon, or Benjamin our earless raccoon, our bionic coyote Coyo and so on and the ones that just can’t be rehabilitated.
Tickets bought online (see web link below) cost $110, while tickets at the door will cost a bit more at $140. Les Belles et les Bêtes is a registered charity and can issue tax receipts.
Bruneau hopes to make some $30,000 from the event, emphasizing that these centres receive no government support and are not zoos which can charge admission fees. A longtime animal lover and advocate, Bruneau claims that all of the monies raised will go towards helping the animals. And it sounds like this is just the beginning for her.. I like to go in with a clear idea of what I’m going to raise and how it’s going to be spent. I even already know how I will work my next campaign
The Beauties and the Beasts | Art Fair for Animal Welfare
March 29 at Liveart 3980 Rue Saint-Denis, Montreal QC
Facebook : https://m.facebook.com/artfairforanimals
Feature image: Les Belles et les B̻tes event organizer Kim Bruneau РPhoto: Laure Poiret
