The brush off Project
Helping keep memories alive

HOW IT ALL STARTED......
The Westmount Examiner 2009
​George Stoumboulopoulos, Dale Goldhawk, Elizabeth Manley &
Bob Gainey at The Champagne Memories Gala, Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Ottawa. 2009
​(Left back row) Host Marina Cutler, with Judges; Bill Brownstein,
(Left front row) Dorota Kazinska, Bente Christensen and Andrew Carter. 2017

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The BRUSH OFF Painting Competition & Fundraiser for Alzheimer's was brought to life after a group of passionate volunteers got together May 2009 and held the Champagne Memories Gala.


2009 - THE CHAMPAGNE MEMORIES GALA

The Gala was created to help bring attention to Alzheimer's disease as part of The Alzheimer's Society of Canada 30th year anniversary.

It was founded by Marina Cutler and a team of volunteers that worked in partnership with The Alzheimer's Society of Canada.  They teamed up with leaders and celebrities from Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa to bring the awareness and event to the Ottawa, the Nation's Capital making it a National project and gaining greater exposure and visibility.

It was started as a way raise awareness and speak on behalf of those living with Alzheimer who could not share their voices. It was also a way to raise funds to help create an art based project that would help people and their care givers benefit from art while living with Alzheimer's. That project was ART LINKS which was launched at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. 


2010 - THE INAUGURAL BRUSH OFF COMPETITION & EXHIBITION

From the CMG, The Canadian BRUSH OFF, Juried Painting Competition & Fundraiser was created. Continuing the same mission, raising awareness and funds to help create art based projects for people living with Alzheimer's.

Celebrating artist for their talents while highlighting the importance of Art and art based projects for those living with Alzheimer's Disease and other memory disorders.

2017 -  THE BRUSH OFF COMPETITION PARTNERS WITH MOUNTAIN LAKE PBS TO PRODUCE THE DOCUMENTARY MINI SERIES, THE "BRUSH OFF" PROJECT.

2018 - THE "BRUSH OFF" PROJECT
DOCUMENTARY 4 PART MINI SERIES #1  AIRS ON PBS.

2019 - The Brush Off Painting Competition & Project announces they will make its USA debut in Memphis., Tennessee.
​2020 - The 2020 Finalists are announced.
2020 - The date of the opening night fundraiser & awards ceremony are postponed due to an global pandemic- Covid-19.
2020 - The Brush Off decides to proceed but virtually, November 28th
2022 - The 2nd Edition, Brush Off "In Person" USA took place, May, Memphis TN
2022 - The 8th Edition, Brush Off "In Person" Canada tool place May 14th Niagara Ontario.
2023- The 9th Edition of Brush Off





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The 2010 Inaugural "BRUSH OFF" 
Canadian Painting Competition Finalist. 

The Awards Ceremony will take place Avenue Art Gallery in Montreal.

We would like to thank all the artists who submitted their work and for sharing their love of the creative process with us.
FINALIST

2010 prize winners

BRUSH OFF COMPETITION WINNERS

1st PRIZE GAIL DESCOEURS  ""
Sponsored by Avenue Art

​2nd PRIZE  DANIELE LEMIEUX
Sponsored by Avenue Art  

3rd PRIZE LINDA MENDES
Sponsored by Avenue Art

PEOPLE'S CHOICE  GORDEN PYM AND SUSAN PORTER (A TIE)  
Sponsored by Travel Way Group www.travelwaygroup.com 

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE PARTICIPANTS
2011- THE PRIZE WINNERS OF THE 2ND "BRUSH OFF" PAINTING COMPETITION

Avenue Art would like to thank all our participants and supporters of the 2nd Annual BRUSH OFF Competition (2011). It was a wonderful evening with a lively and excited crowd that was MC’d by radio and sports personality, Mark Shalhoub.

We could not have put together such a high quality competition and exhibition without the participation of artists from coast to coast and the help of our esteemed jury... So join me in a round of applause for the team of judges, Dorota Kozinska, writer and English editor of Vie des Arts Magazine, Andrew Carter of CJAD 800, Nicole Jones; Host of CTV City Lights, and Bente Christensen, Designer and Creative Consultant.

On behalf of Marina Cutler and Avenue Art, we thank everyone for your involvement and hope you will be onboard as a sponsors, participants or guests next year as we work toward building a stronger community awareness of Canadian visual arts and Alzheimer's.

2015 prize winners

5TH BRUSH OFF COMPETITION WINNERS

1st Prize ROBERT MONDOUX  "WALK AROUND"
Sponsored by Condos Le Silhouette

​2nd PRIZE  MICHELE GRAVEL "MOZ 2 " 
Sponsored by Travel Way Group www.travelwaygroup.com 

PEOPLE'S CHOICE LOUIS-BERNARD ST-JEAN  "RHAPSODY IN BLUE"
Sponsored by Avenue Art www.AvenueArt.ca



CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE PARTICIPANTS

Avenue Art
is pleased to welcome
PSB Boisjoli & RBC
as 
Presenting Sponsors
of the 2015
 VIP OPENING NIGHT PREVIEW & COCKTAIL FUNDRAISER 
Benefiting people and their families living with Alzheimers Disease. 
Roy Brash-ONT
Mel C -QC
Kathy Marlene Bailey-ONT
Veronica Dragnef- QC 
Beverly Farley-QC

Michele Gravel-QC
Carole Loeb -QC
Betsy Miller-ONT
Robert Mondoux-QC

Tanita Siladi-QC
Louis Bernard St-Jean-QC
Pavel Sokov-QC
Nadia Beltei-QC
The 2015 "BRUSH OFF" 
Canadian Painting Competition Finalist. 

The Awards Ceremony will take place Thursday September 17, 2015 at Avenue Art Gallery in Montreal.

We would like to thank all the artists who submitted their work and for sharing their love of the creative process with us.

the team

past #BOPC

Publications

art based projects