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Artist Garage Sale in Surrey aims to spark creativity, raise money

Youth Arts Council of Surrey hosts second annual event at Newton Cultural Centre
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The inaugural Artist Garage Sale, hosted by the Youth Arts Council of Surrey, was held last January at Newton Cultural Centre. The event returns there on Saturday, Jan. 12 from noon to 3 p.m. (submitted photo)

Do you have art supplies or other arts-specific items that you aren’t using?

Such things are sought by the Youth Arts Council of Surrey (YACOS) for its second annual Artist Garage Sale, a fundraiser set for Saturday, Jan. 12 from noon to 3 p.m.

The organization is looking for items to sell at the event, which returns to Newton Cultural Centre for a second time, following last January’s inaugural sale.

“The sale was great for an inaugural event,” Lyn Verra-Lay, the arts council’s co-ordinator, told the Now-Leader. “We made over $700 thanks to some very generous donors and customers. We had donations of a large lot of costumes and a couple of instruments, plus many craft items. Young People’s Opera Company of Surrey (YPOS) bought all the costumes.”

Last time, one young woman who had always wanted to play guitar bought one for just $10, she said. Five artists came to sell their own lightly-used items, and their donation to YACOS was the $10 table rental.

“We thought that this would be a great idea for those who wanted to delve into the performing or visual arts without shelling out big bucks,” Verra-Lay added. “Sometimes, people are wary of starting a hobby when there’s the possibility that it wasn’t really their cup of tea.”

This year, on Jan. 12, “we’re repeating the format, with the addition of offering $5 grab bags for the smaller items,” Verra-Lay said. “Prizes so far include theatre tickets plus locally made ceramics and jewelry.

The sale takes place in Newton Cultural Centre’s theatre, the former fire hall’s garage, at 13530 72nd Ave., Surrey. Admission is by donation, and light refreshments and door prizes are available. For more event details, call 604-594-2700 or email info@artscouncilofsurrey.ca.

• RELATED: MINTY: Artist Garage Sale to raise funds for Youth Arts Council of Surrey, from 2018.



Tom Zillich

About the Author: Tom Zillich

I cover entertainment, sports and news stories for the Surrey Now-Leader, where I've worked for more than half of my 30-plus years in the newspaper business.
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