The Confederation Centre of the Arts experienced over 70 per cent growth in endowed funds in the past year, thanks in part to large contributions from members of the Fathers of Confederation Buildings Trust, which governs the Centre, and other donors.
Some of the donors were recognized at a reception held in the Confederation Centre Art Gallery during the Trust’s annual meeting, which took place from July 19 to 21.
“The Confederation Centre of the Arts is undergoing a tremendous period of growth this year,” says David MacKenzie, CEO of the Confederation Centre. “Our theatre productions are drawing record audiences, our gallery is featuring world-class exhibitions such as Yousuf Karsh and Charles Comfort, and we are expanding our art education programs for youth. The generous support of the donors we are recognizing today will allow us to continue to grow in all aspects as a national art centre for all Canadians.”
Board member Frederic Martin and his wife Ogden recently donated over $100,000 in securities to the Centre. Born in New Perth, P.E.I., Martin graduated from Prince of Wales College and studied law at Dalhousie University. He was called to the Prince Edward Island bar in 1947. He has served on the Trust’s board since 1974 and is involved in many other organizations including the Forum for Young Canadians. A member of the Order of Canada, he is currently president of Blackburn Properties Corporation and vice-president of RBC Dominion Securities.
Well-known Island entrepreneur Frank Lewis and his wife Dorothy have given an initial gift of $20,000 in securities to create the Frank & Dorothy Lewis Fund, an endowment to support the Symons Lecture on the State of Canadian Confederation. A resident of York, P.E.I., Lewis is one of the most highly regarded broadcasters in Atlantic Canada. In December of 2004, he retired as vice-president and general manager of MBS Radio on P.E.I. He is now a consultant for the Newcap Radio stations Ocean 100 and K-Rock 105.5. In November 2006, Lewis was inducted into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame. He has been a member of the Trust since 1999.
Bill Andrew, president of Penn West Petroleum Limited of Calgary, Alberta, has donated $100,000 to the Centre in the name of Meridian Farms. Through Penn West, he has sponsored two Alberta members of the 2007 Confederation Centre Young Company. Raised in Milton, P.E.I., Andrew graduated from U.P.E.I. in 1973 in engineering and has his Bachelor of Engineering from Nova Scotia Technical College. He co-owns Meridian Farms in Milton with his brothers Brian and Rollin, and runs a successful horse breeding ranch in Alberta. He is chancellor at U.P.E.I. and founder of the Friends of U.P.E.I. in Calgary. Andrew joined the Trust in 2006.
Peter and Janice MacKinnon have established the Frank and Daphne MacKinnon Memorial Fund in honour of his parents, and have made an initial contribution of $25,000 to the fund. An accomplished writer, teacher and public servant, Frank MacKinnon worked tirelessly to promote arts and culture in Canada. He was the driving force behind the establishment of the Confederation Centre, and made an important contribution to the Island’s education system. Peter MacKinnon was appointed to the Trust in 2005.
MacKenzie also recognized two other donors, Galen Weston and the Koerner Foundation, for contributing to the Centre. Galen Weston, chair and president of George Weston Ltd., has given a personal endowed gift of $100,000 to the Symons Trust Fund. Weston owns a controlling stake in Loblaw's, and is involved in privately-owned retailers like Canada's Holt Renfrew, Ireland’s Brown Thomas and London's Selfridges department store.
The Leon and Thea Koerner Foundation, established by the late Dr. Leon and Thea Koerner, donated $10,000 to the Symons Trust Fund. As immigrants to Canada after World War Two, the Koerners expressed their gratitude for their new lives by establishing of the foundation, which supports the arts and higher education for youth.
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