VANCOUVER – On September 5, the Bay Downtown Vancouver will officially launch a new line of art featuring Canadian artists, “MiMa at the Bay”. In addition to the opening of a gallery on the 5th floor, originals and limited editions are displayed throughout the 6th floor to enhance the Bay’s furniture line. This initiative means support and increased exposure for a number of Canadian artists, most of whom are from British Columbia. The launch of “MiMa at the Bay” coincides with the Bay’s launch of a new nationwide marketing campaign, “Live Artfully”.
Two contemporary artists living on Denman Island, Mitra Ghaffari and Mark Prior founded MiMa Fine Art Publishers, Inc. in 2005. Over the past three years, their joint venture has brought the art of over 40 artists to a national and international public. MiMa also works with art consultants, architects, interior designers, hotels, galleries, the hospitality industry, health-care facilities and now, the Bay.
“This is a great opportunity to collaborate with the Bay to showcase the best of local artists within their community,” says Prior. “There are now about 350 works of art on display. The staff have been very enthusiastic and report terrific reactions from customers who love the unexpected ‘art experience’ as they walk around.”
On September 5, Sunshine Coast artist Motoko will give live demonstrations in the store during the day. The evening event will give the public and the press a chance to meet sixteen of the MiMa artists, such as Richard Hunt, Coral Barclay, Page Ough, Bill Wilkinson, Won-Hee Gowen, Elisabeth Sommerville, Jocelyn Barrable Segal, Carol Short and Motoko. Annie Siegel, one of MiMa’s artists as well as a professional jazz singer and pianist, will provide entertainment. The evening will include a charity auction of a painting by Motoko. All of this will be made most agreeable with traditional wine, cheese, strawberries, and chocolate.
The launch will be held at the Downtown Bay, 674 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia on September 5, from 6-9 p.m.
