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When we first moved into Insight’s new space on Albert St. in Uptown Waterloo, I noticed that we had a lot of empty white walls. Originally, I was hoping to commission a local artist to paint an animal wearing glasses that we could hang in our waiting area. Well, after a lot of brainstorming, we ended up with 6 beautiful and quirky Canadian animals all wearing independent eyewear.
We partnered with one of our favourite local Canadian artists, Paint by Munzy. The artist, Jonathan Munz, created our bespectacled animals and his sister, Laura Munz (who manages his studio and marketing), jumped on board to help promote this campaign.
Back in college, Troy Dettwiler (our website designer, photographer and marketing assistant), worked with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) through an environmental club. Troy and I both felt this charity fit perfectly with our vision as well as Paint by Munzy’s subject matter.
Half the proceeds of the canvas prints and greeting card sets will be going to support CPAWS. The original oil paintings are on display at Insight Eye Care. The canvas prints and greeting card sets can be purchased directly from Paint by Munzy’s Online CPAWS Page. Thank you Paint by Munzy for creating these adorable images and helping us support this meaningful cause!
All the profits from this campaign (sale of prints and cards) are going to Paint by Munzy and CPAWS. 50% for CPAWS, 50% for the Artist and 0% for Insight Eye Care.
All of the represented eyewear designers, Vinylize, Bruno Chaussignand, Blake Kuwahara, ROLF Spectacles, TAVAT and SALT Optics have made monetary donations. If you love our parks and wildlife and are interested in making a monetary donation to CPAWS you can do so here.
We live in a world focused on its economic present, a world that has pushed the health of our planet far into the periphery. We have lost our vision for a sustainable world. With this CPAWS Fundraiser, we are attempting to shift focus toward the wilderness and wildlife that are in desperate need of protection.
I reached out to 4 members of our community who hold sustainability close to their hearts. Together with myself and Troy, the six of us are each holding one of the animals and the corresponding independent eyewear. Not all of the animals are classified as endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, but they are at various levels of risk.
Marcia Ruby is the Publisher Emerita and Creative Director of Alternatives Journal. Graciously, Alternatives Journal has offered to be the official media sponsor for this fundraiser. Thanks A/J! Marica and the Lynx are both wearing Vinylize.
Raymonde Friedmann is a sustainable landscape consultant. She is an active environmentalist, supporter of green technology and sustainable architecture and an advocate for the protection of water sources, wetlands and our forests. Raymonde and the Grizzly Bear are both wearing ROLF Spectacles.
Jennifer Le is a sales consultant at Insight and also volunteers for Avocado Co-op. Avocado is a retail co-op that makes living more sustainably easier by offering eco-friendly, zero-waste and member-tested household products. Jennifer and the Bearded Seal are both wearing TAVAT.
Troy Dettwiler is a technician for the Waterloo Region District School Board and, on the side, is Insight Eye Care’s website designer, photographer and marketing assistant. He has previously campaigned for CPAWS, enjoys spending time backcountry and living an environmentally conscious lifestyle. Troy and the Orca are both wearing SALT Optics.
Neil Moser is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Insight Eye Care and writes creatively in his free time. He is passionate about supporting independent companies with respectable values and ethics as well as escaping into the wilderness to enjoy the serenity that only the natural worlds can offer. Neil and the Puffin are both wearing Blake Kuwahara.
Also known as “sea parrots,” puffins have beaks that are grey in the winter and colourful in the spring so as to attract mates. They live mostly at sea and only come to land for nesting. Climate change has increased the temperature of the ocean water, forcing the birds’ food sources further away from where they nest, thus decreasing their population over time [National Geographic].
If you are interested in how you can help preserve wildlife in Canada, take a look at the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) website.