30+ days, 30+ little paintings

Wellington artist hosts virtual fundraiser for hospital

Avisit to Wellington isn’t complete without a visit to the studio of Pamela Carter. Just a hop and skip from the village’s usually bustling downtown core, Pam Carter’s delightful purpose- built studio can be found on West Street, just where it abuts Second Avenue. It’s usually at about this time of year, the signal of the Victoria Day long weekend, Carter opens her doors in anticipation of a busy summer season. This year is different. For most artists, doors remain closed during the COVID-19 outbreak as Prince Edward County remains under a local state of emergency. Many artists continue to create, where for some, purchases are completed on-line rather than in-person. Carter, a prolific oil painter, is known for her familiar County scenes, her Wellington streetscapes in particular, as well as portraits and people, and beach delights among them. With art shows and events on hiatus for the foreseeable future, Carter needed an avenue, not just to sell her art, but for people to experience and enjoy her colourful, handsome compositions. In the midst of a global pandemic, and with health care and essential workers front of mind, Carter decided it would be appropriate to create 30-plus paintings and put them up for sale on her website over a period of 30 days. Better still, she has decided to donate 25 per cent of all sales during the fundraiser to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF), “to support the hospital’s highest priorities, including our front line hospital workers in this challenging time.”

Wellington artist Pamela Carter busy in her studio.

At about this time last year, Carter participated in the Bid for the Build Art Auction Fundraiser sponsored by the Prince Edward County Art Dealers Association, held at the Crystal Palace. “I gave them a painting that sold for over $900, that was a good start,” said Carter. “With everything that is happening now, and how we are all wanting to support our hospitals and front line workers, I thought this would be another opportunity to make a donation to them and that’s how it started.” Shannon Coull, PECMHF’s Executive Director couldn’t be happier. “The outpouring of support for our hospital from community members across the County has left us with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and appreciation,” said Coull. “These days, people are having to do things differently. We’ve had to come up with innovative ways to keep businesses and services going: Pam Carter is one of those people.”

While Carter is known for her large, vibrant canvases, to ensure the paintings remain accessible and affordable, she has created a series of little paintings, ranging in size from 10 by 10 inches, up to 18 by 18 inches. The idea behind the smaller works is they can find a home almost anywhere. “You can put a small painting, a 9 by 12 for example, on a bookcase or an end table, there’s always a spot for a small painting.” Specially reduced prices, just for this event, range from $275 to $400 plus HST. Paintings can be picked up curbside, all while observing physical distancing protocols, or delivered anywhere in the County personally by Carter at no cost. Shipping anywhere else is also an option (standard shipping rates apply).

All pieces are currently featured on the website, where daily features are added, along with some surprise offerings. “I am going to add some surprises as I go along because I am putting something up on Instagram and Facebook every day, and I’m sending out an email every day as well,” she says. “I hope people will continue to visit the page, and I can keep changing it up a little bit which will encourage people to visit often.” It was also important for Carter to acknowledge John Charlton, the person responsible for ensuring the seamless functioning of her website. “I would like to thank him for all the time he continues to put into getting this fundraiser page up, and tweaking it when necessary, often at a moment’s notice,” said Carter. “He’s really what has made this fundraiser possible and accessible in these times.”

Available from May 4 to June 4, the 30-plus paintings—seven paintings sold on the first day—offer something for everyone, from still life, winter scenes, city street scenes and more, where Carter is having fun with themes. The Pieces of the County Sky series feature 16 greatest hits. The foot-square oil on canvas works each tie back to a well-known song, such as Here Comes the Sun by George Harrison, and River by Joni Mitchell, where the song titles may evoke a memory, or just make you smile. “All 16 make quite a presentation, but even a group of four or even six would look fabulous on a wall,” says Carter. Some of the paintings are also shown in virtual rooms, which help people visualize size and how they might look in a setting.

“Not only is Pam making sure people have access to her beautiful artwork, she is helping to support our hospital at the same time,” adds Coull. “Pam is someone we like to refer to as a ‘champion’. By doing this fundraiser over the course of May, Pam will be helping to ensure our caregivers and front line staff have access to the tools they need to be able to provide important care to the people who need it most.” For Carter, this is the first time she has embarked upon a fundraising initiative like this before. “I am having fun and I am enjoying myself,” she says with a smile in her voice. She hopes to continue to be able support the hospital she so loves. “I hope to continue to find ways to support them because with all the people in the County, and those of us of a certain age, we want to have great hospital care right here in the County.” She would also like people to think about making a contribution to the hospital. Details of the Pamela Carter Studio Spring Fundraiser for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation can be found at pamelacarterstudio.com/fundraiser.