Our Hospitality morning last Tuesday, February 9th was an extra special affair – joining coffee, art, and humanitarianism.
Our first speaker, Lily Harriss, presented highlights of the Dulwich Picture Gallery. We were impressed to learn the Gallery’s history which began with only a few paintings from the private collection of friends Noël Desenfans and Sir Francis Bourgeois.
Lily Harriss with Patty Bell
The two men acquired more paintings after they were commissioned by the King of Poland to create a Royal Collection. But with the partitioning of Poland, the collection lacked a home. It was bequeathed by Bourgeois to Dulwich College, Sir John Soane was commissioned as architect of a new building, and the Gallery opened to the public in 1817. It is distinguished as being the first public art gallery in England and now displays a variety of art including Old Masters such as Rembrandt, Van Dyck, and Poussin.
Lily talked about her role as Director of Development, where she plays a leading role in managing relationships with donors and raising funds to support the Gallery. As a Canadian, Lily is particularly excited about a Tom Thomson and Group of Seven exhibition that will be opening at the Dulwich Picture Gallery in 2011. Without a doubt, the CWC will be there!
We were very pleased that one of the Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund students was able to attend Tuesday's presentation by Lily. Eleanor von Aderkas, pictured below, is currently studying Easel Painting Conservation at the Hamilton Kerr Institute, University of Cambridge. A short article about Eleanor will be published on the blog soon!
Deborah Bowsher, Eleanor Von Aderkas, Arlene Greenhouse
The day was concluded by our second speaker, Isabelle Mignault, who spoke about her friends and experiences in Haiti and who gave a moving plea in both English and French for aide to the Haitians, especially the children, whose lives were devastated by the earthquake.
Isabelle Mignault
Renee Marie Vanasse and Isabelle Mignault
The CWC held a fundraiser on Tuesday– a Quake Bake – to support the Haitians. Along with donations made by Quebec House staff, we raised more than £300 by bringing and purchasing delicious treats. An additional £100 was donated by Canadian High Commission staff, with the full amount given to the Haitian branch of the Fondation contre l'indifférence pour l'aide à l'enfance, (Foundation again the indifference to child welfare), supported by Isabelle.
Thank you to all who participated.
Written by Laurel Steuernagel and submitted by the IT with Te@ group
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