Linwood House’s latest fundraiser, a lobster feast, is inspired by a wave — a wave of possibility in the vast ocean of life. That’s the theme, and it is depicted in an oil painting by Coast artist Marleen Vermeulen that will be auctioned during the feast on Saturday, Sept. 20.
Women who find their way to Linwood House in Roberts Creek are often from the mean streets of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, and they are deep in cycles of addiction, sexual abuse or human trafficking. During Linwood’s programs, primarily expressive art therapy, the women experience a feeling of family or home. Linwood offers visual art, written arts, drama and music. Women can tell their stories — some for the first time.
“We value their stories,” said Linwood’s founder Gwen McVicker. She describes how Vermeulen was asked to give a presentation to the women about how she had followed her own dream of becoming a painter.
“I create a possibility and live in it,” Vermeulen told Coast Reporter. She thought at first that her presentation might make a little bit of difference to the women’s lives and that would be awesome. “I saw the resilience and strength of these women,” she said. What she didn’t expect was the response from the women of songs, drumming and poetry in acknowledgement of Vermeulen’s journey. “I was completely in tears,” she recalled. “They made a huge difference in my life.”
Artists have always been a big part of Linwood’s supporters. This second annual fundraising lobster dinner, Claws for a Cause, will include artwork from Nancy Hache, a painted door with a Haida Gwaii totem image from Gigi Hoeller, a driftwood bench from Laurie Gray and a painting from long time Linwood supporter Yzabelle Delisle Milton, among other works.
Event coordinator Carol Hill Maxfield lists the many items available at a live auction (with auctioneer Ed Hill) and a silent auction: trips to Hawaii and Palm Springs, a hockey package with game tickets and a complete barbecue. Guests will also enjoy the 200 lobsters, flown in fresh, perfect for an East Coast roll-up-your-sleeves feast with all the trimmings offered at the Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre. Katie Angermeyer will be there with her traditional fiddling style, George Grafton and the Nostalgettes will entertain and Hammy McClymont is master of ceremonies.
Tickets are $75 at Gibsons and Sechelt Visitors Centres, More Café, at www.linwoodhouse.ca or from Bob at 604-740-3757.
