Nancy Mackerghan and Beth Mlacak
Arrière-cour, Montréal, an oil painting by John Mlacak was presented to Nancy McKeraghan of Newmarket, Ontario, winner of the draw, by Beth Mlacak on October 15, 2016. Nancy is the newly elected Vice-President of Canadian Parents for French (CPF).
Karen Lynch of Edmonton, Alberta, the new President of CPF, won a Mlacak oil painting in 2014. CPF’s 40th anniversary conference was celebrated in Ottawa on October 14 to 16. The conference brought together the members who founded CPF in 1977 at a special event in their honour. Among the founding members are John and Beth Mlacak and it became a tradition for them to donate a painting of John’s as a fundraiser during the organization’s national conferences. Beth continued the tradition after John’s death in 2014.
CPF is a nationwide, research informed, volunteer organization that champions the opportunity to learn and use French for all those who call Canada home. There are 23,000 members and 10 branches. CPF knows that it is widely acknowledged that the benefits of learning French extend beyond enhanced first language skills and increased employment opportunities. These include significant cognitive and academic benefits, and the development of interpersonal and intercultural skills. French second language in Canada benefits millions of children and youth today.
Beth and I were guests at Project Upstream’s Gala Fundraising Reception, Dinner and Auction, November 22, 2012 at Ashbury College in Ottawa. “Carrefour du village, St-Joseph-de-la-Rive, Charlevoix”, the 24” x 30” oil on canvas painting I donated was the featured live auction item. It sold for $1700. The funds raised go to programs for youth mental health.
The winning raffle ticket for the painting I donated to Canadian Parents for French (CPF) was drawn on October 20, 2012 at CPF’s National Conference in Ottawa. Beth and I were guests at the banquet where the announcement of the winner was made. The raffle was a very successful fundraiser for CPF. Rita Parikh was the excited winner of, “L’étang, Morin Heights”, oil on hardboard, 11” x 14”. She ran from the back of the room to the podium. Rita is from Victoria, BC and was just nominated to the National Board of CPF. In 2008 Rita travelled around the world with her husband and two children spending four months in the South of France.
John offered the painting show below “Un étang, Auberge du Vieux Foyer” to the 20th annual Fuller-Keon Golf Tournament. This is a benefit for the Ottawa Heart Institute.
I participated in “Art for the Heart”, an exhibition of art and a fundraiser for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute on Sunday, February 20, 2011 in Barrhaven. Approximately 250 people visited the show. The Heart Institute was very pleased with the amount they received in donations, and the commission from the 9 artists. This may become an annual event. Beth and I got first class assistance from our son, Bill, his wife, Joanna and our granddaughters, Sophia and Helena who were visiting us for Winterlude from New Hampshire. This was the first time the family were with us for the setting up of an exhibition. The girls demonstrated great skills as art installers and were able to make solid suggestions for improvements in the overall appearance of my booth. It was a fun day and we enjoyed meeting the many visitors.