Vancouver wildlife artist Denis Mayer Jr. has chosen a numbered, framed print of his picture, Mother’s Love, to donate to a small, local volunteer group to aid their fundraising to build two elementary school classrooms and a hygiene block in a very low-income neighbourhood of Lubumbashi, DRC. The donated print will be auctioned through mail-in and e-mail bids – in time for Christmas giving – by the Shiloh Place Orphanage Society (SPO) www.shilohplace.com.
“Dennis Mayer Jr. is widely known for his wild bird and animal paintings. He has been Artist of the Year for the B.C. Wildlife Federation and for Ducks Unlimited. He was approached by the Royal Canadian Mint to design for their collectible coin series. We are very grateful that he has chosen to support our efforts to provide tuition and uniform–free classrooms for this very poor neighbourhood”, said SPO founder Chantal Kasongo, of Coquitlam. Originally from the DRC, she has spearheaded other community initiatives on the orphanage land she bought in 2010, including a community well and a community centre/chapel.
Mother’s Love – a lioness and her cubs – is valued at $350. The SPO Society will accept written and emailed bids for the framed, numbered print until 6:00pm on Dec. 9th at #211 -615 North Rd. Coquitlam V3J 1P1 or siloplace@gmail.com. The framed, approximately 29” x 39”print can be delivered free to the successful bidder anywhere in the Lower Mainland. Should the successful bidder live elsewhere – or the winning bidder wish the painting delivered outside the Lower Mainland – shipping can be arranged at the buyer’s expense.
“Mother’s Love would be a beautiful addition to your home or a delightful gift to give someone”, Kasongo said, “and your purchase will make a significant contribution to the classroom building project.” Send you bid with name, address, phone and email address to Shiloh Place Orphanage Society, #211 – 615 North Rd. Coquitlam, B.C. V3J 1P1 or siloplace@gmail.com to be received not later than 6pm December 9, 2019. The successful bidder will be notified by 12 December so timely delivery arrangements can be made. For
information about SPO’s classroom project, shelaghag@shaw.ca or 604-415-9397.
On behalf of the children in the DRC who will gain the chance for an education, we thank artist Denis Mayer Jr. for his Mother’s Love print and you for your bid!
By Shelagh Armour-Godbolt
