Ukraine Blue & Yellow the Palette at Rainforest Arts

The works of Claudia Lohmann, Gina Shear, and Rohana Laing will be among those on the wall at Rainforest Arts during the Blue & Yellow for Ukraine fundraiser from May through July.

It’s hard not to feel helpless, watching the horrors and devastation in Ukraine, and there’s not much the average person can do to help. But if all the millions around the world who are opposed to the war pitch in even a little, a tidal wave of support will flood into that stricken land.

So artists at Rainforest Arts are mounting the Blue & Yellow for Ukraine show, donating between 50 to 100 percent of their sales earnings to the cause, and the gallery itself will be adding its commissions from all donated pieces to help those displaced or wounded in the war.

The Blue & Yellow show will be on the walls of Rainforest arts for the months of May, June and July. Works at the gallery, located at 9781 Willow Street in Chemainus, will be predominately in hues of blue and yellow, as all the walls will be dedicated to the fundraiser. On plinths and shelves look for selected pieces by 3D artists, too. Their contributions will have blue stickers or twist ties attached. Included in the offering will be: pottery, jewelry, encaustic bowls, blown glass, woodturning, mixed-media sculptures, and metallic paste on glassware.

So you can give a gift to yourself or someone else, and help the people of Ukraine at the same time.

“I think it’s really important that artists feel they can do something,” aid RFA photo artist Daphne Carlyle, who helped organize the show. “It would be depressing if there was nothing at all we could do.”

There’s a full range of prices and sizes available for people who want to purchase art at the gallery. Some artists are even creating special works just for the show, while others are selecting art from their inventory. Many of the pieces will be replaced as they sell. “I’ll be replacing any pieces I sell with another,” artist and Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society director Diana Durrand said. “That way we can raise even more for the people of Ukraine.”

A collection jar will be available for people who simply want to donate money. “You’re welcome to stop in any time to donate,” Rainforest Arts Manager Stephanie Allesia said, noting that funds raised will go to the Rotary Club of Chemainus, which will forward it to Rotary Foundation of Canada where it will be designated for the Ukraine Disaster Fund.

Rainforest Arts is open Wednesday through Saturday, 11am to 4pm. You can visit the gallery online at RainforestArts.ca or call 250-246-4861.