EXCITING NEWS! A donor has offered to match any new donations towards our tribute for Sal. Between September 1st and November 30th, any gift received will be matched (to a campaign total of $5000). Gifts can be made through GoFundMe or to the Elora Centre directly (remember to dedicate your gift to Sal). Please consider taking advantage of this generous option and see your gift doubled. Together, we can ensure Sal's memory lives on in a place that meant so much to him.

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I am honouring my dear friend, Sal, by raising money to install a plaque, with his name on it, in the Art Classroom at the Elora Centre for the Arts.

Three weeks before going into the hospital, Sal taught a painting class at the Elora Centre for the Arts. Despite already feeling unwell, Sal was fully present and engaged, teaching with his usual joie de vivre and kindness. We did not know that he would not come home from the hospital. We are devastated and would love to put a tribute to Sal in this Art Classroom that he loved.

Sal was an engineer by training and, in recent years, he discovered his talent and love for abstract painting. He was prolific – creating many gorgeous pieces, and he was passionate – wanting to share his art by teaching and supporting others. Sal resonated with the vision of the Elora Centre for the Arts – here, he had found his community!

This is a unique opportunity to put Sal’s name on a plaque in the Art Classroom where he taught at the Elora Centre for the Arts (ECFTA). The ECFTA is undertaking a capital campaign to expand to meet growing demand, and, to renovate to become fully accessible. As part of this campaign, there is room for one more name to be placed in the Art Classroom – we would love to put Sal’s name here! We would love for next generations of young creatives to see Sal’s name, ask about his story, and be inspired!

The terrific community of friends and family at Sal's Celebration of Life was a testament to his love of family, friendship and community. In the decades that we knew him, Sal shared so generously with all of us. We enjoyed his infectious love of life, hearty laugh, lavish hospitality (including delicious food and coffee), stimulating conversation, and an abundant and inclusive love. Sal left us far too early!

We want to pay tribute to Sal and his life by remembering him at the Elora Centre, in the Art Classroom that he loved. As Sal was generous in his life, please share in his generous spirit by giving to this tribute.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE A TAX RECEIPT for your gift: please donate directly to the Elora Centre for the Arts and REMEMBER TO DEDICATE your donation to Sal: https://eloracentreforthearts.ca/donate-now-2/

Your gift will still be reflected on this GoFundMe page, as we will be informed of your contribution and will add it as an offline contribution to the total.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ELORA CENTRE FOR THE ARTS, please visit their website: https://eloracentreforthearts.ca/

Here are a few more details about how this money will be spent: Your GoFundMe gift will go directly to the Elora Centre for the Arts to be counted towards the tribute gift, or Naming Opportunity, for Sal. Gifts received directly to the Elora Centre for Sal (i.e., not using GoFundMe) will also be counted and this webpage will be appropriately updated.

There is room for the names of four major donors to be installed on a plaque in the Art Classroom. There is also space for a dedication statement on the plaque. Three of these donors have been identified. We would like Sal’s name to be the fourth name! This plaque will be installed towards the end of 2025 with a grand reveal of the renovated Elora Centre for the Arts tentatively planned for early 2026.

THANK YOU for reading our story. Please share with your friends and contacts so we can leave a lasting tribute to Sal in the Art Classroom that he loved!