Live Auction Bears for Greater Vancouver including Whistler

Artist: Glen Hadfield/Christopher Berera
Patron: Helijet International Inc.
Provenance: "Roto-Bear" is a modern day Spirit Bear Super Hero. He reaches to the sky to go above and beyond to make life a better place for all of us.
Sold for: $16000

Artist: Bill Helin
Patron: Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre
Provenance: "Simon" bears the happy smile that Simon Jackson radiates when he speaks of his love for this beautiful white bear. The colorful outfit is the Tsimshian Chiefs 'Chilkat Blanket', regalia worn only by hereditary Chiefs and their wives. The drum sounds out the message of the Spirit Bear and Raven legend that is a message of love and peace to the world and the importance of protecting our innocent creatures which also includes our very special children.
Sold for: $5500

Artist: Sabina Hill/Steve Smith
Patron: Holland America Line
Provenance: The stainless steel blanket was inspired by the Tlingit traditional Chilkat Robe made of woven mountain goat wool and cedar bark. With its distinctive five sides, long fringe and bright colors, it is worn around the shoulders of important people during ceremonial occasions. The laser cut and painted motifs tell the story of the Spirit Bears and their creator, Raven.
Sold for: $26000

Artist: Rhonda Laurie
Patron: Spirit of Vancouver
Provenance: "Rhythm of the City" is a celebration of everything that is great about Vancouver. We are lucky to live in such a beautiful city. There is so much to experience and explore in and around Vancouver. The people, who give this city its vibrant pulse, are painted with vivid rainbow colors to represent the diverse cultures that live harmoniously within this beautiful setting.

Sold for: $10000

Artist: Fred Peters
Patron: Odlum Brown
Provenance: The artist envisioned "Vancoubear" showcasing the City of Vancouver in a bright, colorful and whimsical manner, bringing a smile to those who see it.
Sold for: $6500

Artist: Gloria Masse
Patron: Alcan
Provenance: In Gloria's vision, the Spirit Bear is a combination of bear, salmon and cedar. Marine elements, found even in ancient totem poles, have traveled from the ocean to the woodlands. The forest supports salmon and streams therefore the circle continues. "Spirit Friend" is the soul of the forest.
Sold for: $32000

Artist: Rhonda Laurie
Patron: W3Media.com
Provenance: "Worth Protecting" celebrates the beauty of wildlife in B.C. and the links within each habitat. Salmon spawn upstream. Bears catch and eat the salmon, leaving the remains that nourish the vegetation, which grows thicker along the edge of the rivers. This provides much needed shady areas for spawning salmon to lay eggs. As stewards of the earth, we determine what kind of environment all creatures will live in by our actions today.
Sold for: $6000

Artist: Ross Penhall
Patron: PricewaterhouseCoopers
Provenance: This bear is wearing a fitted forest jacket, a sculpted shoreline sash and glistening ocean trousers. For a Kermode this is Haute Couture from the fashion house of "Great Bear".
Sold for: $32000

Artist: Jerry Whitehead
Patron: Global Television
Provenance: Geometric shapes and vibrant colors come together on this bear done by First Nations artist, Jerry Whitehead. The Pow-wow dancers depicted on this bear seem to come alive as if to invite the audience to join them in their celebration.

This Bear was sold in the Silent Auction.
Sold for: $12000

Artist: Judson Beaumont
Patron: Bull Housser & Tupper LLP
Provenance: Working with Bull Housser & Tupper made Judson's job very easy because they were so specific in what they wanted. Judson and his crew followed their lead in what the bear would look like. It was great to see how collaboration between corporate and local artists could come up with a fun, sculptural piece.
Sold for: $16000

Artist: Arnt Artnzen
Patron: Teekay Shipping (Canada) Ltd.
Provenance: Bears are an integral part of our environment as are salmon. Arnt did the Bear in a chrome finish and the salmon in a shiny copper to reflect our impact on the environment. Their synonymous relationship is an example of our dependence on other living things for survival.
Sold for: $40000

Artist: Judson Beaumont
Patron: Ron and Samantha Bauer
Provenance: The story behind "Darth Bear" was the whole idea behind the Spirit Bear being a "white" bear. Judson started to think "what is the exact opposite of a Spirit Bear?". He thought to himself, "a black, dark, Darth Vader Bear!"
Sold for: $20000

Artist: Cathryn Jenkins
Patron: Angus One Ltd.
Provenance: Cathryn Jenkins is a stone sculptor and wanted her creation to be a work of art; an inlaid stone mosaic that would incorporate the wildlife, the mountains and natural resources of British Columbia. The serpentine is quarried from the mountains surrounding Revelstoke, Quesnel and Osoyoos, sculpted and highlighted with gold and copper leaf. Look for the salmon!
Sold for: $30000

Artist: Dean Lauze
Patron: Orca Bay Sports & Entertainment
Provenance: A tribute to one of the greatest players to ever wear a Canucks uniform. Marcus Naslund graciously donated his own hockey stick which added the personal touch the bear needed. When Dean was designing this bear, a big bear helmet with a bit of long hair hanging out the back immediately came to mind.
Sold for: $15000

Artist: Heather Price
Patron: Maynards
Provenance: I am URSA AMERICANUS KERMODE, an artifact, relic and monumental myth, survivor of a long ago shipwreck…dredged up from the depths of the Aegean Sea off Cape Artemisian in 1926. Painstakingly pieced back together by loving hands and now an archaeological ornament of local cultural interest. As the story goes…you can never say goodbye to a myth!
Sold for: $9000

Artist: Cindy Lietz
Patron: 4 Moms for Kids
Provenance: Cindy Lietz created this exclusive Legacy Children's Art piece based on original drawings from over 500 elementary students at West Point Grey Academy. Her unique "Look What I Drawed!" style is truly one-of-a-kind. The cozy night-time forest theme, with its heart-warming little creatures, is sure to bring to mind happy memories of childhood camping trips to all those who experience it.
Sold for: $15000

Artist: Will Rafuse
Patron: THRIFTY Foods
Provenance: The "Fable Bear" is based on classic children's stories that the child in all of us still love, and remember.
Sold for: $20000

Artist: Carman McKay
Patron: City of Coquitlam
Provenance: Sto:lo (Stahlo) means River, more specifically, the Fraser River. The Spirits represented within "Sto:lo Bear" start at the feet, the river bed. Wealth for the Sto:lo people meant you had a big family. In the spirit of Carman's ancestors, he presents the "Sto:lo Bear".
Sold for: $14500

Artist: Rod Charlesworth
Patron: Angiotech Pharmaceuticals
Provenance: The "Whimsy Bear" is a montage of small paintings depicting kids playing during the winter in very whimsical ways.
Sold for: $20000

Artist: Steve Smith
Patron: West Coast Resorts
Provenance: Nestled amongst the various First Nations art on display at the Vancouver Airport, the "West Coast Bear" is quick to grab the attention of tourists arriving for their vacations. The use of red and black in traditional artwork appears in many First Nation cultures. The pure white background further enhances the simple, yet meaningful, designs that are displayed on the Bear.
Sold for: $14000

Artist: XWA-LACK-TUN
Patron: Holland America Line
Provenance: The artist's design of the Bear reflects the major sponsors of the Spirit Bears project. Canucks for Kids, Easter Seals and the Lions Society, are represented as mammal figures. There is an emphasis on the environment where the Spirit Bears live and what they may see on their journey. Salmon is a main food source so this image is on the Bear. "Look at me!" is titled thus so that we can have a look at all things that need to be noticed. Just like what this fundraising is about. Kids need to be noticed.
Sold for: $11000

Artist: Dean Lauze
Patron: Royal Shopping Centre/the Village at Park Royal
Provenance: Dean Lauze was asked to create the ultimate shopper Bear (a là Jessica Simpson). A small amount of sculpting was required to create this "Royal Shopper" and she tried many outfits before settling on this ensemble. Be sure to check out her tattoo.
Sold for: $16000

Artist: Cori Creed
Patron: Odlum Brown Ltd.
Provenance: The inspiration for the "Pacific Spirit Bear" comes from our coast – primarily from the Pacific Spirit Park. It is meant to celebrate our natural surroundings and our wildlife –so breathtaking and precious. Each clinging to a tenuous existence in our changing environment and climate, and both requiring our awareness and support to survive.
Sold for: $10000

Artist: Milan Basic
Patron: Nettwerk Music Group
Provenance: Soundcheck…1-2-3. If there were concerts in the animal kingdom then Vinnie would definitely be the Bear in charge. Imagine bumping into this big guy as you try to sneak backstage! The patches on Vinnie's jeans contain authentic autographs from current popular musicians, including Avril Lavigne, Dido, The Barenaked Ladies, Sum 41, Sarah McLachlan, Stereophonics, Delerium, The Perishers, MC Lars and Brand New.
Sold for: $11000

Artist: Cynthia Richardson
Patron: Yellow Pages Group
Provenance: "Summer Cone Bearing" represents the Northern Coastal forest intertwined with a warm yellow summer sky as a symbol of wilderness survival and freedom. The paws are well-grounded in the depth of the coniferous woods. The "Summer Cone Bearing" upper torso and head emerge courageous and serene as an emblem for peace. The bear is cloaked in the forest where it lives free.
Sold for: $12000

Artist: Todd Jason Baker
Patron: Sutton Group Realty Services
Provenance: The concept of this Bear is based on a three dimensional carving. The light that reflects from the shadows represents the Northern Lights. To keep true to the legend of the Spirit Bear, the Raven makes an appearance in a crest on the back of the Bear.
Sold for: $16000

Artist: The VRX Team/Dean Lauze
Patron: VRX Studios Inc.
Provenance: This Bear was truly a great team effort. VRX Studios had an in-house contest which produced many fabulous designs, but this old world map was the winner. As great as the design was, Dean still had to simplify and modify some things to make it work on the actual Bear. He is particularly fond of the sketching technique because it gives an old world feel.
Sold for: $25000

Artist: Chili Thom
Patron: The Westin Resort
Provenance: Done in a soothing blend of fiery and fresh hues, this Bear portrays the beginning of a new day. The clouds light up as the sun slowly rises up from the horizon, chasing away the night and reaching for the stars.

This Bear was sold in the Silent Auction.
Sold for: $12250

Artist: Ken Skoda
Patron: Whistler Hilton Resort & Spa
Provenance: In the serene landscape depicted on this Bear, orcas are frolicking in the waves as a magnificent bald eagle soars overhead. As people pass by, they are drawn towards this awe-inspiring Bear so that they may observe every single detail that adds to its beauty.
Sold for: $21000

Artist: Penny Martyn
Patron: Whistler/Blackcomb
Provenance: Penny loves everything that Whistler has to offer. If you look closely at "Ursus Intrawestus" you will see bears doing all the things that we love doing: skiing, hiking, golfing, mountain biking, zip-trekking, kayaking, canoeing, cross-country skiing, picnicking, riding the gondola, snowmobiling and watching the alpine glow. His pants are made of numerous newspaper clippings from the media archives to share a bit of Whistler history.
Sold for: $15000

Artist: Gloria Masse
Patron: Telus Communications Company
Provenance: "Jeanie" is one of the most recognized of the Whistler bears, and embodies the spirit and heritage of her kind there. She is the mother of many offspring and has long been studied by the renowned bear researcher Michael Allen. As part of Gloria's vision, her upraised paw holds the Great Bear Constellation, Ursa Major (the Big Dipper).
Sold for: $50000

Artist: Vicki English
Patron: Murray Clemens, Q.C., Nathenson Schachter & Thompson
Provenance: "Sea to Sky Bear" depicts the British Columbia landscape; where the rivers divide the province creating a complex ecosystem connecting the ocean, salmon, forest, bears, mountains and sky.
Sold for: $13000