The event, best described as the afterparty for Chip’s Not Dead Yet Memorial Mile, a race dedicated to celebrating life and raising funds for BC Children’s Hospital, saw ten talented local artists design and adorn the lids of coffins supplied by the aforementioned Crean.

The end result was an event, in its first year, that exceeded all expectations and raised over $25,000 for BC Childrens Hospital mostly via a truly enjoyable and fun live auction conducted by Maynard’s Scott.

Opinion piece: I attend 300+ events a year – in some cases, people pay thousands of dollars to attend the events I go to. With the artists in attendance, a host bar, some of the best food selections I’ve seen (provided by Culinary Capers), the beautiful Winsor Gallery and the fun group in attendance – I’d have to say this event sits in the top three of the events I’ve been to this year. Find out more about the LifeLid Gala, HERE.

Other ways to support: A rectangular limited edition of the artwork from this event is available for sale online to further support the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation at www.vantageartprojects.com. Total $90 per archival, exhibition quality 11″x14″ print. A gorgeous way to give to the kids!

To see original release, the works and their selling prices, read more, after the jump.

The lifelids:

Rajasthanian - Graeme Berglund - $2500

Count Floyd (SCTV) - Joe Gianoglio - $800

You need smooth water to skip stones - Jane Brookes - $3600

Late Last Night - Rebecca Chaperon - $1100

We cannot get too distant from the graveyard - The Dark - $2700

Hummingbird - Stephanie Kewistep - $1700

En ma Fin git mon Commencement - Sascha Yamashita - $700

Back to the Chicken - Mark Mizgala - $1000

Touching the Bardo: Reflections for Living - Gabryel Harrison - $1700

Viva La Vida - Norah Borden - $2600

Other items auctioned included a Nita Lake Spa package for $1000 and a William Tell dinner package, hotel and transportation for $700.

Chip’s Not Dead Yet raised well over $100,000 and the LifeLid Gala raised over $25,000 for BC Children’s Hospital.

The original release:

A Celebration of Life

Chip Wilson, the founder of lululemon, lives by the philosophy that you should live your life like it will end tomorrow. So the juxtaposition of death is really an uplifting statement about living life to the fullest. Chip has made a successful career of challenging norms and breaching barriers and taboo’s, and positively saying that we’re all going to die one day, so make today count.

The LifeLid Gala embodies this approach and has charged artists to create art that celebrates life, but also challenges the viewer with the contrasting shape of the medium. We hope it creates a reflection and a conversation on how we celebrate life.

Ten artists have been selected and given a life-size coffin lid (6’ by 4’) to create a unique art piece. Coffin lids were made by Tradeworks Training Society http://www.tradeworks.bc.ca and use BC denim pine; wood recovered from the pine beetle devastation. Artists have generously donated their time and vision in creating these amazing pieces.

Proceeds from the gala will go to benefit the BC Children’s Hospital and the sick kids that rely so much on care from the hospital