Arts for Africa show and sale a rousing success, CARO president says

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on April 8, 2025.

Canadians Reaching Out to the World’s Children is pleased to see that its first foray into art sales has been a marked success.

While figures are still being tallied, says president Nancy Cocks, she estimates that proceeds of the April 5 sale will easily be able to “feed all the children in the Teega Wende orphanage for a full five weeks, or pay the salary of a nurse for a whole year. This Burkina Faso project will receive a much-needed boost from this event.”

“Even before doors opened, people were keen to have a look,” said Cocks, who expressed gratitude to everyone who helped to make the event possible, including volunteers, St. John’s Presbyterian Church for hosting, and the 15 local artists who donated their work.. “The first hour was crowded and then things settled into a relaxed pace as shoppers and volunteers enjoyed live music by the Emmanuel Misago Emoja Family singers.”

The show featured both local works and textiles brought in from Burkina Faso, where all of the proceeds will be sent to aid the Teega Wende Orphanage there.

“Thank you, Medicine Hat, for showing once again your generosity for a good cause and appreciation of the arts,” said Cocks.