Everyone who is anyone was at a very special occasion last week — an evening garden party at the Picton home of Victoria Taylor that doubled as a fundraiser for a beloved arts organization in distress.

Attended by about 50 people sporting flowers, the party celebrated the Department of Illumination’s twelve years of  creativity in Prince Edward County — and looked to ensure its future.

Ryan Henderson, President of the Board since 2019, stressed the urgency of finding funding for the Department. 

“Our grant funding, which is typically the main revenue source that we have, is down 33 percent this year. We have enough funds to keep our doors open until September.” 

Even what Artistic Director Krista Dalby notes is “very reasonable” rent at the Armoury is proving a challenge.

For the longer term, the Department will become a charitable organization, able to issue tax receipts for donations. They are also seeking a new board member with fundraising experience. In the short term, there will be more fundraising events and promotions.

The County Foundation’s Dominique Jones encouraged everyone “to help the DOI weather this storm and continue to do great things. We really need some community leadership.”

People were keen to help. From the floor, one person offered $5000 immediately, and another followed with $1000. All told, the evening party raised $18,000.

Jamie Kennedy was on french fries, and Lemonade Dave was spiking the juice with Wild Lot Distillery gin. J & W Farms, Foodland, Metro, No Frills, and Agrarian Market all donated tasty eats. Slake Brewery, Trail Estates, and the County Cider Company all contributed their hand made wares, while Amber Walton-Amar performed on cello.

Mr. Henderson, who was dressed, in the spirit of the Flower Moon, as a bouquet, summed up the meaning of DOI’s work: “Watching a child parade down the street beaming with pride holding their little paper lantern that they made, watching joy-filled adults dancing and carousing with lights all over their bodies, watching giant puppets in the park, having a man on stilts at a garden party—it’s just awesome.

“To have that creativity and that much energy is just so inspiring. This brings people together and has such a huge and positive impact on our community.”