14 November 2014AOE Arts Council and community raise a glass and $33k for the artsAn enthusiastic crowd of 250 people gathered at the Shenkman Arts Centre during AOE Arts Council ’s annual fundraiser ARTinis on November 6, 2014 and raised $33K for the arts. In its seventh year, AOE’s premier event provided artists and art lovers a chance to mingle with business and community leaders and to show their support for AOE Arts Council.“We had a tremendous show of support from our community at the event,” says Victoria Steele, AOE’s new Executive Director. “We are extremely proud of artists in Ottawa and this annual event is a timely way to share our success stories about what we do as an Arts Council.”Funds raised at ARTinis will allow AOE to create opportunities for local artists and to support Ottawa’s vibrant arts community.“ARTinis is also an important night to thank everyone for their support through their attendance, sponsorships, donations and volunteering,” adds AOE Arts Council President Kathy MacLellan. “We are grateful to our major sponsors Mixed Media Group, Pathway Hyundai and Ottawa at Home Magazine and BOOM 99.7 FM who are supporting the Arts and made ARTinis a special evening.”Arts supporters were treated to an exclusive ARTinis experience with delicious bites prepared by some of Ottawa’s finest caterers and bar hosts to include: Beau’s All Natural Brewing Co , Dewan Catering, Tulips & Maple , Savvy Company , Epicuria , Cuisine & Passion , Bowich Best Organic Sandwich and Ottawa Cocktails .The event featured the work of five talented artists from the region ** Ruth Dick ** (photography), Karen Goetzinger (sculpture), ** Zivana Kostic ** (fibre art), Mary Kritz (book arts) and Cheryl Pagurek (video). Guests were able to talk with participating artists in a temporary gallery setting while DJ/VJs The Latest Artists played music through an impressive 10 ft. cascading wall of mist.AOE Arts Council wishes to thank our champions of the Arts in Ottawa, Mayor Jim Watson , Royal Galipeau MP Ottawa-Orléans, Marie-France Lalonde MPP Ottawa-Orléans who contributed to the success of this event.ARTinis would not be possible without the generous silent auction donations made by the community and without the financial and in-kind support from the following sponsors: ** ARTinis 2014 Sponsors ** ** Media Partner and MC ** : BOOM 99.7 FM , DJ Sandy Sharkey ** Platinum ** : Mixed Media Group ** Diamond ** : Pathway Hyundai , Ottawa at Home Magazine ** Gold ** : Tamarack Homes ** Silver ** : BOS Law , Transat Travel , Forum Equity Partners , Sobeys ** Bronze ** : BFI, Heritage Funeral Homes , City of Ottawa Councillors ( Bob Monette , Stephen Blais , Rainer Bloess , Tim Tierney ), Lister-Beaupré , Richcraft Homes , Royal Galipeau MP, Holiday Inn Express Orléans , Romantic Fireplaces & BBQ , Dust Evans Grandmaitre Lawyers , Sotek Printing , Q-M Auto Clinic , TD Canada Mobile Mortage – Sean Rankin ** About AOE Arts Council ** AOE Arts Council has been serving the arts community for 27 years. As a not-for-profit charitable bilingual organization, AOE acknowledges the generosity of its donors, funders and partners who assist the Council in promoting, supporting and developing the arts in Ottawa. AOE represents a membership of over 400 artists, organizations and supporters.www.artsoe.ca** For interviews or more information: ** Cristiane Doherty, Director of Communications Tel. : 613.580.2767 cristiane@artsoe.ca