GORDON SMITH FOUNDATION SPRING LUNCHEON

SMITH LEGACY Another cultural icon — Canadian painter, printmaker and sculptor Gordon Smith — was a no-show at his foundation’s annual Spring Luncheon.

At 99 years old, the artist can be forgiven for not feeling up to attending, said Vicki

Gabereau, master of ceremonies of the fundraising nooner at Capilano Golf and Country Club. Two hundred fans did make the luncheon luau — the 15th running — to support Smith’s love of teaching, cultivation of young talent and providing arts education for all.

Smith’s Artists for Kids program is a legacy of his efforts and those of his late wife, Marion. Established in 1989, the art program has enriched the lives of thousands of students of all ages each year. The Artists for Kids endowment as well as the Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art in North Vancouver was the beneficiaries of this year’s fundraising efforts.

As always, the main event was the art auction of seven one-of-a-kind Canadian works, by familiar names such as Ian Wallace, Graham Gillmore, Ross Penhall, Chris Charlebois and Pierre Coupe.

The donated works sold for asking or under estimate. Auctioneer Barry Scott worked harder when Douglas

Coupland’s Tsunami Study — his commentary on the oceans’ plastic pollution — went on the auction block. As usual, it was the final auction piece, Gordon Smith’s newest work — a mixed media on canvas — that captured the attention of many selling as expected beyond asking. The sale of fine works along with a Heritage Canada match would see the afternoon’s final tally surpass the $185,000 mark.

Thanks to the foundation and this charity luncheon, more than 5,000 students benefit each year, said

Yolande Martinello, Artists for Kids director.

“For 29 years, our programs have allowed young people to discover the joys of creating, the delight of hands-on learning and the sense of accomplishment that is too often under-represented in our education system. We’ve nurtured talent, supported skill development and celebrated positive self-expression. And we have raised a new generation of art appreciators,” she added.

FACE THE WORLD GALA

WORLD TOUR Legendary singer Tom Jones headlined Jacqui Cohen’s 28th Face the World Gala. After helping launch the society maven’s inaugural fundraiser for local charities raising about $85,000, the 78-year old Welsh heartthrob has returned a reported five times to support the Army and Navy matriarch’s ongoing fundraising efforts. Putting service above self, Cohen brushed aside family health matters to host and welcome 200-plus guests into her Point Grey Road residence for the tony $2,500-a-ticket house party.

Notables making the scene included Vancouver Canucks’ Paolo Aquilini, architect

Russell Hollingsworth, Cactus Club’s Richard Jaffray, Paragon Gaming’s Scott Menke, talent agent Sam Feldman, Haywood Securities Eric Savics, Hy’s Canada’s Neil Aisenstat and Futura Corp’s Amar Doman.

Attendees were royally feted upon arrival. Starting with a red-carpet welcome outside, the Veuve Clicquot champagne flowed. Inside, the reception swirled in Cohen’s living room before guests headed to the outdoor dining tent, brilliantly staged over her waterfront pool. Fuelled by a Gotham steak and lobster dinner paired beautifully with Sean and

Saeedeh Salem’s Le Vieux Pin wines, the well-heeled crowd would rally to support underserved children, low-income seniors and disadvantaged women.

While no panties were thrown at Sir Tom — the iconic singer was knighted by Her Majesty the Queen in 2006 — partygoers did toss just over $700,000 to charity. Travel experiences and art ruled the evening with a lux- ury penthouse stay in Las Vegas and a John Ferrie painting exceeded their sticker price.

Since the event’s debut, the Face the World fetes have generated more than $18 million to assist more than 350 organizations, announced Cohen. They include the Carnegie Community Centre, Covenant House and YWCA of Greater Vancouver.

Gordon Smith Gallery’s Gail Johnson showed off the Douglas Coupland piece that went up for auction at the Smith Foundation Spring Luncheon. A commentary on the oceans’ plastic pollution, Coupland’s piece was one of the coveted works at this year’s art...

Artists for Kids director Yolande Martinello, Gordon Smith Foundation chairman Paul Killeen and MP Pamela Goldsmith Jones helped mark Gordon Smith’s 99th birthday.

Society doyenne Jacqui Cohen welcomed back Sir Tom Jones to her Face the World Gala. Since Jones first helped Cohen raise her first $85,000, the event has generated more than $18 million for local charities.

Clara and Paolo Aquilini were among a well-heeled group that paid $2,500 a ticket to attend the posh house party in support of Vancouver’s most vulnerable.

The Parmar Group’s Justus Parmar escorted his girlfriend Elisa Friedman to the Face the World party.

Jill Killeen and her husband, former CTV evening anchor Mike Killeen, emceed the lavish luau at Jacqui Cohen’s Point Grey Road mansion.

Barry Scott was auctioneer and Vicki Gabereau emceed the auction and lunch.

Tiko Kerr and Doria Moodie were among the talented artists at the lunch.