A fundraiser will be held Thursday for renowned local artist Patrick Royle, who suffered a major heart attack on May 2.

Royle, 55, was driving into Whitehorse from his house at Marsh Lake when he began to experience severe chest pains and took himself to Whitehorse General Hospital.

Upon arrival, it was concluded he'd suffered a heart attack. He then had a second one at the hospital.

He was flown to St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver, where he had an angiogram and angioplasty done this past weekend. Royle was due to return to Whitehorse early this week.

He has been an acclaimed potter here in the Yukon for the past 25 years, and is best-known for a pattern called fireweed. He's one of the founding members of the Yukon Artists @ Work co-operative, as well as the Whitehorse Potters Guild.

He's also taught art at local high schools, elementary schools, and Arts Underground.

Harreson Tanner, who also belongs to the Artists @ Work co-operative, described Royle as 'an icon of generosity within the community.'

Royle holds raku pottery parties every September where he opens his doors to the community and lets people decorate and fire small pots he has made. He also gives out free liqueur mugs and fresh chocolate from his studio at Christmas.

'He's always been so helpful and outgoing to everyone else, so now hopefully we can help him out in return,' said Tanner.

The funds raised at Thursday's event will go toward helping Royle's recovery, and helping his wife, Michele, and their three young children, Ragn, Ferdie, and Hazel.

The fundraiser, which runs from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, will feature local artists B.J. Maclean and 15-year-old fiddler Ben Barrett-Forrest, with more acts likely to be added to the event.

There will also be a silent auction, including a presidential suite donated by the High Country Inn, and jackets donated from Coast Mountain Sports and Sportees.

Donations can be made at Arts Underground on 305 Main St., or at the Yukon Artists @ Work Gallery on 38 Glacier Rd.

For more information, call Tanner at 456-4865.