Three recent break ins at the Penticton Art Gallery have left the non-profit to scramble for an additional $25,000 or face cut backs in programs and exhibits.

According to director and curator Paul Crawford, the gallery was first broken into approximately two months ago. In his 13 years of working with the gallery, he said this was a first, especially since the city installed additional lighting outside the premise in 2018.

“I thought that would add another layer of security for us. But we had our first break in maybe eight or ten weeks ago,” said Crawford. “They took our computer at the front and the cash drawer, and then damaged some other stuff. But it seemed very targeted, which is probably what hurt me the most, is that somebody knew where the stuff was.”

Crawford said he’s always treated the gallery as a welcoming place for everyone, but suddenly he was confronted with the notion that thief or theives had been inside the building before to scope it out. He said it’s disheartening because he doesn’t want to pass judgement upon people coming to the gallery, and he didn’t want this incident to change the gallery’s operations.

“We learned a lot of lessons from that first break in. We couldn’t figure out where they broke in, but we upgraded a lot of things in our internal security and thought that we got it,” said Crawford. “Then, a week later, we got hit again. We had taken the cash out of the drawer and locked the computer away, but they went after the jewellry in the store that time.”

Again, the gallery looked into upgrading its security system and “spent thousands of dollars” putting metal plates on all of the doors. This proved inconsequential when the gallery was broken into a third time six weeks later, with the culprit or culprits entering the building through the roof.

“They knew that there was pockets of dead space in the gallery, and they were taking their time because there was piles of stuff stacked up all over the place so you could see that they had been here for a while,” said Crawford. “But what they didn’t count on is that when they finally did trip the alarm, we had someone come and follow up with a key to go in and check the building.”

Crawford said they added this security measure of following up because “the cops would come, check the doors and see nothing wrong so they might think it’s a false alarm.” He said thankfully, the person who checked on the building was able to chase a couple individuals out of the building.

Yet again, the gallery invested in more security measures, this time arming the roof with a horn that activates when the door is opened. Finally, their efforts were rewarded when a week after the third break in, individuals again tried to enter the premise after hours and immediately triggered the rooftop alarm.

READ MORE: Penticton Art Gallery seeking donations for upcoming auction

“It does feel like we’re being targeted. And as a non-profit we run a very fine, to the line budget anyway so to be hit up with $25,000 of unexpected expenses, it’s only going to impact the rest of what we do unless we find that money elsewhere,” said Crawford. “And we’re pretty much already maxed out on what grants we can get, the funding we get, and our annual fundraisers. And it’s a challenge.”

Following the break ins, Crawford sent a letter to the gallery’s membership urging for support of the upcoming gallery auction. The annual event is the gallery’s main fundraiser and is now one of the few chances the non-profit will have to recoup its losses before the year is over.

The 42 annual Penticton Art Gallery Art Auction Fundraiser takes place on June 27 with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. an dinner at 6:30 p.m. The live auction will follow at 7 p.m. and the “speak easy”-themed evening will feature local wine and spirits as well as live entertainment.

“It’s going to be a fun, party night. We have about 200 items up for bid, everything from gift packages to fine art. We have art from local artists and pieces that are national treasures,” said Crawford. “We have some amazing pieces of history and things that the average person is not going to find. And the stories alone that are attached to the paintings are quite remarkable. And they represent not just Canadian but also international history.”

Crawford said it is going to be one of the best auctions the gallery has hosted, and the pieces are available to bid on online in advance of the auction. He said on the evening of, the online bids will be the starting mark for the live auction, and members of the gallery can bid by proxy for those unable to attend.

For more information about the 42 annual Penticton Art Gallery Art Auction Fundraiser, click here.

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