Annual arts night out and Penmar theatre update

PENTICTON – It’s the second annual Arts Night Out in support of Valley First Community Arts Theatre.

Live and silent auctions featuring stunning local works of art. Dinner and entertainment provided all in support of the Penmar Community Arts Society.

Tickets are available online at:www.penmar.ca or at the Downtown Penticton Association office at 206 – 212 Main St., Penticton, B.C. V2A 5B2

Late last year, the property owners of 361 Martin St .requested that after having waived rent for the past two years, they required the society either begin paying rent as of January, or take up their offer to purchase the property.

It was decided that the best chance was to launch a short-term fundraising campaign for $200,000 using Kickstarter. It was hoped that it would raise the funds required to finish the tenant improvements to phase one. This would enable the society to start generating revenue and would also make it possible to pay rent.

The Kickstarter campaign raised over $40,000, which was impressive in such a short time, but was not enough to complete the renovations. After the campaign finished, many letters and phone calls came to the society with regards to people wanting to help, or contribute in some way. It seemed that although the campaign did not fund, it had unexpectedly
been an excellent marketing activity.

At the AGM on Dec. 29, the society membership voted to re-launch this campaign and develop it further so that it could operate at a better time of year, with a longer window of time and have more chance to be promoted.

Find out more about the project at: www.penmar.ca.