Children’s Art Event Raises Money for Local Non-Profit
Lyndsey Warren
Amy Zacharias, 30, her eight year old nephew Roland and their pal Rusty, in their handmade animal hats at the Minipeg Art Party and Sale at on Nov. 19./ LYNDEY WARREN
The basement of Forth, a coffee shop in the Exchange District, was packed wall to wall with children, their parents, and a variety of handmade paper party hats last Sunday.
Children were selling their handmade art pieces at the third Minipeg Art Party. At this month’s sale, 50 per cent of the proceeds of each piece went go to support Art City’s fundraising efforts. The little artists got to keep the rest of the profits.
“The picture is perfect. Organized chaos,” said Amy Zacharias, one of the co-creators of the event, while looking at a photograph taken of her and her nephew Roland. “Sums up exactly what this event is.”
Zacharias and her friend Jillian Zdunich threw their first Minipeg event in April 2017 at Zdunich’s store, Shop Take Care, in Osborne Village. Since then, the event has become so popular that there’s a waiting list of kids who to sell their art and they had to move the event to a larger venue.
Clay sculpture created by a local child, for sale at the Minipeg event at Forth on Nov. 19, 2017./ LYNDEY WARREN
“We started it because my eight-year-old nephew Roland doesn’t play sports or do things that he could invite parents, friends or family to,” said Zacharias. “I felt like kids deserve to have something they are proud of, have something to get excited about.”
Minipeg is a way for children, like Roland, to display their art and talent that otherwise may go unseen.
A charity that caters to facilitating young people’s art is chosen for each of the events. This month, it was Art City. Art City’s managing director Josh Ruth attended the event and organized the party hat craft table.
Art created by a local child, for sale at the Minipeg event at Forth on Nov. 19, 2017./ LYNDEY WARREN
“I’m really proud of Minipeg,” said Zdunich. “It’s been an amazing experience to watch this little idea grow into an event big enough that it has now moved to a large gallery-space like Forth.”
With a constantly growing list of up to 20 children waiting to display their talents in painting, drawing, and sculpting, Minipeg seems to only be gaining more momentum with each event.
“I am humbled by the love and support of the community,” said Zdunich.
Follow @MinipegArtParty on Instagram to keep up to date about future event dates and artist submission deadlines.
