CARLYLE - A grand opening was held at the Performance Realty office in Carlyle, but it had nothing to do with selling property.
The event was to open the Art Supporting Art gallery.
Ray Boutin had visited a friend in B.C. who happened to be the Canadian agent for Liubov Kuptsova, an artist in Ukraine.
Boutin was extremely impressed with the colourful art which consisted of animals, and he decided to hang her art in his office in Carlyle.
He felt the wall space could be better used, and so he began obtaining Kuptsova’s art, starting with the Happy Cow.
The Happy Cow had seen many places from the Red Market Barn to Canadian Western Agribition in Regina, and now it hangs on the wall in his office.
Kuptsova and her husband Vladyslav Durniev remain in the war-torn country .
They had their youngest daughter after the war broke out and remain in their home, where they often see the effects of the bombs hitting nearby places.
At the grand opening in Carlyle, 50 pieces of art adorned the walls and further down the office wall hung a sail from a boat.
Boutin welcomed everyone to the special occasion, and while he spoke to the crowd, hot chili and buns were served to his guests as the event was held at noon.
He spoke about his friend William St. Clair, who was a past director for the Kenosee Bible Camp, so the gallery was named after him.
When Boutin had Kuptsova on the phone, Yuliia Boiko translated, as she had immigrated from Ukraine to Carlyle over a year and a half ago.
As the ceremony moved to the sail, Carlyle Mayor Jen Sedor raised the Canadian and Ukrainian flags, while Coun. Nicole Currierang the bell to officially open the gallery.
Also in attendance was retired police officer George Anderson, who was on the police force for 35 years and pastor Chris Juchacz from Caryle, Kenosee Lake and Forget.
Throughout the afternoon, people could come and go, socialize and enjoy the music performed by Chris Byrne.
Half of the proceeds of the sale of her art will go to Kuptsova, while the other half will be donated to the Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party.
“Art and music are powerful forces that can shape the world for better,” said Kuptsova, and Boutin could not agree more.
