Date:	Sun, 2 Oct 1994 11:17:49 -1000
From:	mgraves@leadingedg.win.net (Michael Graves)
Message-Id: <1139@leadingedg.win.net>
Subject: Street Kids Int'l Kite Auction Results

Last Friday evening saw the passing of the "Touch The Sky" auction
of kite art for the benefit of Street Kids International, a
Canadian childrens charity. The event was held in the Barbara Frum
atrium of the new CBC broadcasting center in downtown Toronto. It
was an enjoyable evening, featuring the kite inspired art of many
of Ontario's best-loved artists.

There were numerous sculptures, kite inspired paintings, and of
course, kites to be auctioned off in both a silent and loud
auction. This was not a kite event, but a charity event featuring
kites. Tickets were sold for $50 a person. 

Ilene and I were commisioned to make 20 cotton kites to be painted
for the auction, and assemble a crew to perform indoor flying
demostrations during the evening. We recruited Lam Hoac and Merv
Cooper of the the Toronto Kitefliers to assist us. 

While there were many wonderful pieces of art in the auction the
highlight of the evening, for me, was watching Lam do his indoor
routines. The man is a master with a rev on short lines, watch out
David Brittain! The space we had to demo was very small, and
public wandered through at will, but Lam spent several hours
flying his 8' mylar rev on 10' lines. The audience of several
hundred was amazed.

I took my turn with a rev, but mostly flew dual line (X-1 & Tek iV)
and a Grandmaster fighter. The 20' ceiling lent itself well to
flying fighters, and the quick, bright fighter seemed to amuse the
tv crews in attendance. Ilene and Merv flew a variety of miniatures
through the crowd, who mostly wanted to know if the miniatures were
in the auction. People always appreciate Charlie Sotich's
"Giant Bluebird" (12" span, tissue paper on bamboo,) which we
purchased at an AKA auction a few years ago. 

It is difficult to describe the range of items auctioned. The
organisers have a slide collection of all the pieces, which I will
try to get, so I can upload some of the better images to the
archives. The art varied from the merely neat to the absolutely
brilliant. Some of the artists really did their kite homework. I
wish my pockets were deeper, as better items garnered high bids.
But most of the artists' works went for bargain prices. Merv bought
a Reebok box Box Kite! 

While I do not know what the finally tally was, I'm sure the event
was a success. We in the Toronto kite community appreciate the fact
that Street Kids invited the input and assistance of kite
enthusiasts.

Michael Graves



 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =