Two cakes! A Night At The Museum Fundraising Gala was a special event in honour of the 50th anniversary of the Museum and Archives of North Vancouver and the 30th anniversary of the Friends Society. Photo: Chris Chong, Butters Studios

By Jennifer Pantel, President, Friends of the North Vancouver Museum and Archives Society

On October 25, 2022, the Friends of the North Vancouver Museum and Archives Society (Friends Society) gathered at MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver (115 West Esplanade) to host A Night at the Museum Fundraising Gala in celebration of MONOVA’s 50th anniversary and the Friends Society’s 30th anniversary.

Emceed by Kevin Evans, the successful event raised nearly $20,000 for MONOVA. Proceeds of this gala event go towards supporting programs and exhibits at MONOVA including:

• Sharing of Indigenous knowledge and First Peoples Principles of Learning.
• Sensory Friendly Sundays, offering children with autism spectrum disorder visits in a calm atmosphere.
• Experiencing the Archives of North Vancouver with online archival exhibits.
• School curriculum-based activities.
• Thought-provoking exhibits and events, and so much more.

Living History Makers

Guests mingled with some of North Vancouver’s most highly respected and knowledgeable local history makers, while enjoying a cocktail reception and guided tours of the museum galleries.

Everyone had fun bidding on attractive and intriguing live and silent auction items and the winners went home with amazing Indigenous and local art pieces, a full-day sailing tour, a mountain hike with the North Shore Rescue team, tickets to the Capilano Suspension Bridge and other local attractions, gift certificates to local businesses and to community hubs like Queens Cross Pub, and much more.

On October 25, 2022, the Friends Society hosted A Night At The Museum Fundraising Gala at MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver which profiled and celebrated “Living History Makers” including (from left) Hamid Zargarzadeh, Councillor Don Bell, Nancy Kirkpatrick, Dave Brewer, Len Corben, Bob McCormack, Phil Nuytten and Carleen Thomas. Photo: Chris Chong, Butters Studio

The Friends Society is grateful for all the community support and to Gala sponsors, as well as to the local history makers for participating and sparking vibrant conversations.

“Having local history makers at the event allowed the Friends Society to recognize their life experiences and commitment to making North Vancouver a better place to live,” said Society Board Director Terry Hood. “They made the night that much more fulfilling for the sold-out group of guests.”

Bob McCormack, known to many as “Mr. North Vancouver,” attended the Gala as one of the local history makers. “It was an honour,” he added. “I truly did appreciate it and enjoyed every minute of the evening.”

Dave Brewer, living history maker and founding member of North Shore Rescue, also attended and enjoyed sharing 50 years of North Shore search and rescue history. Many guests appreciated the opportunity to talk to Phil Nuytten as he recalled some of his early undersea explorations.

An Evening of Conversations and Connection

The Gala celebration was an evening that many will not soon forget. “The Gala Fundraiser celebrated 50 years of community service as the Museum of North Vancouver and Archives and brought together a wonderful crowd of supporters from North Vancouver and beyond,” added Jennifer Pantel, President of Friends Society. “I was very happy to see so much enthusiasm for MONOVA.”

“It was a night of stellar conversations and that’s what MONOVA, as a community museum, is all about,” added Victor Elderton, Friends Society Director.

“It was a great evening, and I look forward to the next one,” added Peter Lightbody.

Emcee Kevin Evans hosted a live auction during the event, which featured a beautifully framed Bill Reid print by Artrageous. Photo: Chris Chong, Butters Studio

The Friends Society is pleased with the generous support of donations to the live and silent auctions, which helped create a fun, interactive evening. Guests appreciated the Bill Reid print beautifully framed by Artrageous. It garnered over $2,000 at the live auction.

One of the art auction donors was “pleased that A Night At The Museum went so well” and that his “serigraph donation was so well received and appreciated.”

So Many People To Thank

Putting together and organizing the Fundraising Gala was an amazing team effort! A big THANK YOU goes out to the Gala’s organizing committee for putting in hours upon hours of time and effort to ensure every last detail was taken care of, resulting in a very classy affair.

From left to right: Friends Society members Shirin Ismail, Charlene Hill and Julie Wytrwal welcoming guests at A Night At The Museum Fundraising Gala, 25 October 2022. Photo: Chris Chong, Butters Studio

The Friends Society is also thankful to everyone who volunteered during A Night at the Museum Fundraising Gala, many of whom are Friends Leadership Circle members. Our valued members allow the Friends Society to fulfill its mission of helping MONOVA strengthen the community’s cultural and heritage fabric through programs, exhibits, and special events.

Check out the event photography below. Stay tuned for more fantastic events from the Friends Society!