SHERBROOKE: Madame Cécile Gélinas, Director of the Musée des beaux-arts de Sherbrooke, is pleased to announce that the 2013 edition of the Soirée des Beaux-arts brought in the tidy sum of $60,000, the amount comprised of ticket sales and proceeds from the artworks auction. Many works merited bids of $1000 or more: Yves Trudeau, Riopelle, René Derouin, Éloïse Brodeur, Tom Hopkins, Serge Lemoyne, Paul Béliveau, and Yves Nantel. Artworks by some Townships artists also passed the $1,000 mark: Étienne St-Amant and Deborah Davis to name just a few. More than 50 works of art came under the gavel of Anaïs Girardot and Bertrand LaPalme, before a room filled to capacity of artists, collectors, business and professional people, and art lovers.

The festivities began at 5 p.m., with a welcoming cocktail being offered on the ground floor of the Museum of Fine Arts in Sherbrooke (241, rue Dufferin). The Soirée continued with a supper artfully created by Danny Saint-Pierre, chef-owner of the Restaurant Auguste, served with delicious wines offered by the SAQ, another strong supporter of the MBAS. Held on an annual basis, this exciting event is one of the most important fundraising and collaborative activities of the MBAS.

Dr. Réjean Hébert, Ministre de la Santé et des Services sociaux, Minister responsible for Seniors and Minister responsible for the Estrie region, acted as Honorary President for the event. The 25th edition of the Soirée des Beaux-arts was generously supported by the Société des alcools de Québec (SAQ) and the renewal of the partnership with Restaurant Auguste. Artwork for the auction was donated by artists and collectors from the region. Director Gélanis wanted to thank everyone most sincerely for their support of the Musée des beaux-arts de Sherbrooke, and for their contribution to this most important annual fundraising event of the year.

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Photo: Jean Gilbert, 1st Vice-President of the Administrative Council of the MBAS; Cécile Gélinas, Director of the MBAS; Dr Réjean Hébert, Minister of Health and Social Services – Honorary President for the Soirée ; Nicole G. Daoust, President of the Administrative Council of the Fondation du MBAS (Photo courtesy of the MBAS)