This year's Portage and District Arts Centre Celebration of the Arts is being deemed a success. The final numbers are in from the annual gala and fundraising auction, and they managed to bring in $25,465, after expenses. Executive Director Paul Legris notes that's an increase of about $5,000 over last year. It was the first time Legris was involved with the event, and he says overall it was an exciting night with laughter, excitement, and great art.  

Executive Director Paul Legris

He says managing to raise more than $25,000 means a lot to PDAC, noting the fundraising initiative does much more than simply sustain the operation.

"This kind of money not only helps us to keep the lights on, so to speak, it also gives us an opportunity to increase our programming through our dance and arts programs, or to look at ways to offer better services."

The annual Celebration of the Arts is PDAC's largest fundraiser of the year, often seeing large crowds of people taking part in the live and silent auctions. Legris notes seeing that kind of support for the initiative really says a lot about Portage la Prairie.

"It's an understanding of the importance of arts and culture. That's what it says to me; it says the community realizes there's value in supporting arts and culture. Communities just don't exist on people in houses and businesses, they also rely on the fact they have minds, spirits and souls, and the desire to create and show an element of their personality, and that's reflected thoughts arts and through culture."

After witnessing his first Celebration of the Arts, Legris says he's looking forward to seeing the event grow and succeed in the future.