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Design Hope Toronto is comprised of volunteers who organize an annual live art auction and raffle in Toronto, Ontario. The goal of the event is to raise funds for local homeless initiatives by showcasing the works of local artists. Since 2006, Design Hope Toronto has raised over $95,500.

History
Design Hope Toronto is inspired by the initial Design Hope that started in 2001 with the Vermeulen Hind Architects out of Dundas, Ontario, who put on an art auction with the proceeds going to Hamilton’s “Out of the Cold” program.

In keeping with the “design” aspect, graphic designers based out of Toronto started Design Hope Toronto in 2005 and held the first event at Gallery 1313 in 2006.

Event
Every Design Hope Toronto event follows roughly the same outline. Approximately 25 works of art are solicited from local artists in an open call, with most of the artwork being auctioned and some being raffled. The pieces are created specifically for the event and include traditional painting, photography, glasswork, ceramics, folk art and jewelry. Design Hope Toronto asks that each piece be inspired by the theme of “shelter,” however loosely the artist decides to interpret it.

The proceeds from the evening are donated to the beneficiary of Design Hope Toronto’s choice. Representatives from the beneficiary are asked to participate at the event.

Local media outlets have accepted requests to host the events. Marcia Young with CBC Radio 2 has hosted three times. Nick Czernkovich from CBC News has hosted twice. Nadine Hinds-Powell, now with the Weather Network, hosted the first event, while CBC Radio One's Peter Armstrong has also hosted.

Bill Kime of Waddington’s and Canadian Antiques Roadshow fame has been the auctioneer for every event.

Along with the art, catering, event space, printing and web services have also been donated for the event.

Beneficiaries
Design Hope Toronto focuses its support on local charities that benefit the homeless. The committee decides the beneficiary each year. So far, there have been two beneficiaries spread out over seven years.

For the first three years, Design Hope Toronto gave its proceeds to Dixon Hall, a multi-service agency situated in the east end of downtown Toronto. Dixon Hall helps a wide range of people, including children from low-income families, homeless men and women, high-risk youth and people looking for work.

In 2009, Design Hope Toronto began giving its proceeds to the Parkdale Activity-Recreation Centre (PARC). At the time, PARC had begun developing Edmond Place, which is a now-active, multi-unit supportive and affordable housing complex. PARC has a strong focus on helping people who have battled mental health and addiction problems.

Artists
One of the goals of Design Hope Toronto is to promote local artists. An artists’ call is sent out a few months prior to the event. Artists are chosen primarily on a first-come, first-served basis, with special consideration given to ensuring a balanced cross section of media.

The artists are given a few months to create their pieces, which are then dropped off at a gathering prior to the event.

Some of the featured artists over the years include Margaret Glew, Stephen Cruise and Lisa Dooher.

Sheridan College also encourages students from its Crafts and Design Program to donate art to be auctioned and raffled.

Venues
Design Hope Toronto held their first two events at Gallery 1313 at 1313 Queen Street West in Parkdale, a neighbourhood west of downtown Toronto. In order to move closer to its beneficiary, as well as utilize more space, they chose Modern Weave at 160 King Street East for its event in 2008.

Since 2009, Design Hope Toronto has been back in Parkdale, using St. John’s Parish Hall at 186 Cowan Avenue.

Supporters
Design Hope Toronto is largely dependent on both financial and in-kind donations. Perennial supporters include Philip Sung Design Associates Inc. (financial), Waddington’s (auctioneer), Welter Studio (printing), Ariva (paper), Cascades (paper), Cooper Shoots (photography), Donderdag (design), Shiro (website design and maintenance), Hyperweb (website hosting) and Mill Street Brewery (food and beverages).

For the 2012 event, Tamm, a Toronto marketing firm, gave Design Hope Toronto its first dedicated marketing campaign.

Committee
The founding planning committee has remained since Design Hope Toronto’s inception, with other members coming and going throughout the years. Other volunteers are asked to help out with tasks at the event.

While the committee members have various experiences in communications-oriented fields, particularly design and marketing, anyone interested is welcome to join.

Calls for committee members and other volunteers are posted on art and design boards such as Akimbo.