Photographer: Juicebox Studio
[BARRIE, ON] The MacLaren Art Centre (MAC) is thrilled to announce the MacLaren Black Tie Gala presented by Pratt Homes, taking place on Saturday, April 26. The event’s goal was to raise $150,000 in support of the gallery’s children’s programs and community outreach initiatives. The Gala’s theme was “A Pearl Affair”, and tickets were sold out.The 2025 Black Tie MAC Gala had a number of exciting highlights for attendees:
- Special Guest Performance: Last year, the Gala welcomed legendary Canadian band The Trews as a surprised special guest. This year, the MAC Gala was very excited to have the Juno Award Winner and Platinum Selling Recording Artist, Rêve.
Watercolour Portraits: Two talented watercolour artists captured guests’ likeness by watercolour. Guests were invited to take home these special one-of-a-kind pieces to remember their experience. Artists Anjana Arunasalam, Shauna Umney-Gray, and their assistant Varubini Pram. - Oyster Bar: During cocktail hour, guests indulged in many hors d’oeuvres, including a live shucked Oyster Bar.
- Gourmet Dining Experience: Attendees indulged in a delicious and specially curated three-course sit-down dinner by Eclectic Café and Catering.Head Chef for the MAC Gala is Melanie Robinson who was named “Chopped Champion” (2015) of the Food Network’s Chopped Canada Television Show.
- Door Prize by Michael Smiley Fine Jewellery: Guests bought “pearls” to take their chances on winning a $3,000 custom piece of jewellery from Michael Smiley Fine Jewellery.
- Live Auction: The Gala’s live auction featured an array of enticing packages with exclusive experiences such as a Maple Leafs Executive Suite Box next season, a helicopter tour, golf excursions, spa treatments plus many other amazing experiences.
- Musical Delights: A live DJ sets the perfect tone for the evening, keeping the energy high and the dance floor alive with an eclectic mix of beats.
Acknowledging the invaluable support of sponsors, MAC extends its heartfelt gratitude to:
Presenting Sponsor: Pratt Homes
Platinum Sponsor: Barriston Law
Silver Sponsors: BMO Private Wealth, Galbraith Family Law, Leading Edge Earthworks, Lorriman Sturgeon Wealth Management Group, Seven Elements Wealth Planning, Zentec.
Bronze Sponsors: Ain Whitehead LLP, Cubic Feet Designs, Osborne Goddard Team
Event Partners:
- Appetizer: Georgian College
- Auctioneer: All Star Auctions Inc.
- Caterer: Eclectic Café & Catering
- Flowers: Art in Bloem
- Jewellery: Michael Smiley Fine Jewellery
- Rental: HoneyPot Rentals
- Visual Media: Juicebox Studios
- Audio and Visual: Michael Enterprise Audio and Visual
- 360 Photo Booth: RothMedia
The live auction was a riveting scene, where guests battled it out to the last bid. The live auction raised $40,000 in support of the MacLaren’s children’s programs and community outreach initiatives.
Items in the Live Auction Packages were generously donated by the following businesses and individuals:
147, Apple Annies Cafe, Barrie Baycats, B’Spoke Kitchen + Market, Braestone Club / The Ktchn, Chasing New York Inc, The City of Barrie, Cocina Mexicana, Donaleigh’s Irish Pub, Dr. Stacie Weber, Glow Day Spa, Gravity Salon Professionals, Jimmy Chews, Josh Valler, Kempenfelt Community Players, Kenzington Burger Bar, Lone Wolf Cafe, Lotus Lane, Manifest Barber, Mariposa Arts Theatre, Mariposa Folk Festival, Michael and Marion’s, Moore Packaging, Napoleon Home Comfort, Orillia Museum of Art and History, Pickleplex Social Club, Rustica Pizza Vino, Sandra Roberts / PIE Media Group, Shimmering Smiles, The Paint Bar, The Red Tulip, The Rind and Truckle, True North Airways, Zenetec. Special thanks to Homestead Artisan Bakery for donating table bread.
2025 Black Tie Committee: Michael Kuluva (Chair), Matt Follwell, Nicole Murphy, Gary Pearson and Mira Ray.
Event volunteers: Janice DeFazio, Christina Miskiv and Jurgen Henze.
The MAC Gala 2025 was not just a celebration of art but a testament to the unwavering support of the community and the dedication of MAC’s sponsors and partners. Through events like these, the MacLaren Art Centre continues to enrich lives and foster a thriving artistic ecosystem.
For more information about MAC Gala visit https://www.macgala.ca
Contact
Andrea Araujo
Development Officer
705-720-1044 ext. 236
andrea@maclarenart.com
