Owen Sound and area artists are coming to the aid of one of their own. Local printmaker Raven Taylor, 23 years old, has been living with a mixed connective tissue disease that caused scarring in her lungs and is in need of a lung transplant. Members of the Owen Sound Artists' Co-op are donating items that will be set up as a silent auction to raise funds to help Raven meet the expenses that accompany major surgery.

"The response to the silent auction has been exceptional," says Co-op manager Morag Budgeon. "Raven is a talented young woman and we want to help her in any way we can."

Linda Bester has donated a large acrylic painting, as well there will be pottery, jewellery, and all manner of craft and art, plus edible art, a cake from Birgit's Pastry Café! The Co-op's landlord, Jeff Mundle, has purchased a painting to include in the auction, and other local businesses are encouraged to join in and donate something if they wish.

In 2014, Raven belonged to Next Generation: Emerging Artists and exhibited her work for several months in the Co-op's Legacy Gallery. Included in the auction will be print by Raven, previously purchased by a donor, and graciously framed by The Framery in Owen Sound. "We are very pleased to have one of Raven's prints available", says Budgeon", "in fact, it is one of my favorites, there may be a bidding war on it!"

The local community is coming together to help Raven, including a GoFundMe campaign (gofundme.com/2sx75q24). The Owen Sound Artists' Co-op hopes to raise at least $5000 through the silent auction.

The auction will run for 2 weeks, beginning August 24th and closing on September 7th. Interested parties will enter their bids in a binder located with the splendid donated items. The Owen Sound Artists' Co-op is open Monday to Saturday, 9:30 to 5:30, and Sundays and Holidays 12 to 4pm.

source: media release, Owen Sound Artists' Co-op