Lone Tratt was brought to tears watching the nightly news. As updates about the war in Ukraine flashed across her television screen, she decided she had to help.
On May 27, the local artist will be hosting an art sale in front of her Squamish home at 38628 Cherry Drive from 2 to 5 p.m., with all proceeds going to the Red Cross’s dedicated Ukraine efforts.
“I just can't sit back anymore,” Tratt Told the Squamish Chief.
Tratt said she has seen how Squamish can unite as a community. With her sale, she hopes that people can do a good deed while also getting a painting that would look good in their homes.
Tratt is slashing the prices of her pieces by 50% to sell as much art as possible at the sale.
There will be 40 original and unique canvases on sale in a range of sizes and prices. The most expensive piece will be priced at $1,000, with some smaller pieces available for $200.
Purchases can be made with cash or a credit card.
“[Art] isn't easy to be sold today,” she said. “So, there's a good price range which may [make it] possible for people to pick something up.”
According to her website, Tratt started painting at nine years old. Today, her paintings, etchings, and prints are being sold across the Lower Mainland at the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Dundarave Print Workshop on Granville Island. But her paintings can be spotted across private and public galleries across North America, Europe, and Saudi Arabia.
While handing out flyers for the sale, Tratt instantly sold a blue-and-yellow flower painting featured on the poster. She hopes that a successful yard sale may allow her to continue to do charity sales in the future. Ones that benefit local issues in Squamish and beyond.
“I'm very excited about this. I know that they need so much. So, what I can do is not a lot,” she said. “But if we all help, it will help.”
