Emilio Pugliese is a local artist and has created a Stampede-themed piece called “Let’r Buck,” in support of the foundation Love for Lewiston.

Pugliese has always loved art and has wanted to do a piece about someone riding a horse and Stampede setting for some time. He then thought to bring his artwork to his work at the Dorian Hotel in Calgary where he is a maintenance tech and see if his work could be auctioned for charity.

When asked what his desired charity was, he responded “anything to do with children.”

“I love children and I had a nephew who was really ill for a while, and I just wanted to do something for children,” said Pugliese.

“I’ve always wanted to do charity work, and this is a way I found to do it.”

According to Pugliese, he has always enjoyed doing various forms of artwork, but charcoal and graphite as shown in “Let’r Buck,” is a method he is really fond of. 

“I do oil paintings, acrylic paintings, all kinds of forms of artwork. But I really love charcoal and pencil work,” said Pugliese

The Love for Lewiston Foundation was created after Lewiston James Olstad died due to Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). So, to honour their son, the Olstad family created the foundation in hopes of supporting families going through similar times.

After raising $42,000 in their initial efforts to give back to the Alberta Children’s Hospital, the foundation was officially registered as a charity in Canada.

“We’ve raised more than $2.5 million and counting, and that money goes back into Alberta Children’s Hospital as well as it goes to support families across Canada coast to coast that might have children or even adults living with spinal muscular atrophy,” said Jessica Janzen Olstad.

The foundation holds different events every year that raise funds for SMA like golf tournaments or celebrating Lewiston’s birthday, however, according to Janzen Olstad, the generosity that the city’s people share is helpful in its own right.

“We’re really fortunate that our city is filled with so many good people with big hearts that want to do good,” said Janzen Olstad

Janzen Olstad also said that the generosity that Pugliese demonstrated and his willingness to share his artwork was appreciated.  

“It’s people like Emilio, who was a complete stranger until yesterday. I got to go to the hotel and meet him and was just blown away by his kindness and generosity and his heart to want to help,” said Janzen Olstad.

If you would like to support the auction you can find it here, the auction’s end time is at the end of the Calgary Stampede on Sunday, July 14 at 11 p.m. 

If you would like to inquire more about Emilio’s work, the best contact is emadbull338@gmail.com