London’s best arty-party and silent art auction, in support of Unity Project for Relief of Homelessness and Museum London, was online from April 18 to 24 for its second pandemic year.

Van Simpson – Scotia Wealth Management invited audiences to join in support of Unity Project for Relief of Homelessness and Museum London and participate in the making of a vibrant and healthy community.

Event participants bid on paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs, and more created by a stellar roster of local renowned, emerging, and Unity Project participant artists, as well as works donated by notable London area art collectors.

We were honoured to have Shelley Niro, a Governor General award-winning multi-media artist, join us as our Guest Artist this year. Shelley’s photographic work – The Wild Ones And The Colonized – was featured in the auction, and a half-tone version of this same image was offered as an open-edition multiple – a fine art t-shirt.

Feature elements included behind-the-scenes videos, a panel discussion focusing on arts, culture and homelessness relief in a pandemic, Money Now donation bidding and the crowd favourite, Winescape Mystery Art!

Congratulations to the winner of the Peter Max lithograph registration prize valued at $2,500!

There was something for everyone at UPwithART, whether a seasoned collector or someone just beginning to collect. The breadth of work, the calibre of artists, the accessible prices, and the party atmosphere (even online!) all provided a unique opportunity through which to experience the London art scene.