Brilliance 2023

In Tribute to the Life and Legacy of Gordon Smith

Together with Brilliance co-chairs Yoshi Karasawa, Ian Wallace and Patti Glass, we gathered on June 15, 2023 to celebrate the enduring legacy of Gordon Smith while supporting the cause closest to his heart: exceptional art education for all.

Hosted by Vicki Gabereau and Fred Lee, guests enjoyed an evening of fine dining, entertainment and special tributes to Gordon Smith at the scenic Pipe Shop Venue at the North Vancouver Shipyards.

Brilliance featured a unique auction format: a limited Live Auction featuring one piece from each of the Artists for Kids Founding Artist Patrons: Gordon Smith, Jack Shadbolt and Bill Reid. Select experience packages were also curated with Gordon Smith’s love of art, modernist architecture, and the natural world in mind.

The Friends of Gordon Collection
The primary focus of the evening was the extensive Friends of Gordon Collection, a new collection of over 50 artworks that serve as a remarkable testament to the exchange of creativity that Gordon Smith fostered among his peers, as well as those he met throughout his life. The artists represented each contributed an artwork that pays homage to Gordon Smith in some form, whether it be through direct creative kinship and mentorship, or by having worked closely with the Smith Foundation and Artists for Kids. The collection spans a wide range of artistic styles, valuation, and recognition – all with one purpose of showing the vast impact that Gordon had on so many.

event photography courtesy of