March Issue 2004
Commentary
by Tom Starland
A Tale of Three Fundraisers
Each month I never know where this commentary is going to take
me until it's time to write it. Events that happen during the
beginning of the month that I think deserve some attention either
hold up over time and out last current issue or fade into the
fog. This month's theme seems to be fundraisers dealing with the
visual arts - art competitions and art auctions.
We receive lots of notices about fundraisers dealing with art
- we print some in the paper, some go on the website and some
go in the trash bin - where they belong. We tend to only deal
with those that take place in our own backyard - the Carolinas.
Here's some comments on three examples offered this month in our
Call For Entry section.
First, we have the Hospice of Charleston's (Charleston, SC) 6th
annual Joys of Life art auction. In 2003, more than 125
artists helped Hospice raise nearly $30,000 through their generous
contributions of art. The auction includes the usual preview reception
and then silent and live auctions. Participating artists can set
minimum bid prices for their works as well as share in commissions
of sales. Hospice of Charleston is a worthy cause which delivers
hospice and home health care to persons living with a life-limiting
illness throughout the tri-county, including Berkeley, Charleston,
& Dorchester Counties, since 1981.
I'm no fan of art auctions. They undercut the art market, but
are a fact of life in today's art community. I would prefer for
artists to sell their work at full price and make a donation to
organizations and take the full tax deduction for their donation
- but...
I asked some contributing artists about this auction, checked
out the auction catalog, and even checked out the Hospice website.
I got positive feedback from all sectors. Most of the time the
group hosting an auction can't even produce a list of artists
participating - they just want the free art and the money they
get for selling it - way below market retail. Not the case here.
So, I guess if you feel it's easier to give your art instead of
cash to participate in a fundraiser - here's one that's better
than most and willing to listen to advice on making improvements
and making their artists happy.
Next, we have the SC Aquarium's and the Gibbes Museum of Art's
(Charleston, SC) Amazonian Photography Contest, for children
ages 8-12. Participants are "encouraged" to visit the
Gibbes Museum of Art to view the nature and landscape photography
including In Response to Place an exhibition of 48 photographs
of the exhibit The Nature Conservancy's Last Great Places.
Then visit the SC Aquarium to take actual photographs of their
new exhibit Secrets of the Amazon featuring amazing creatures
such as anacondas, electric eels, four-eyed fish and piranhas
to name a few.
One winner will be selected by a panel of judges; and will receive
a free membership to the Aquarium and the Gibbes Museum of Art,
a disposable camera with film and film development. The top twelve
winners will be featured on display at the Charleston County Library
and on the Aquarium's website.
Now, there is no fee for this photography contest, but on one
(only one) of the three press releases I received on this event
it stated that - regular admission prices will be charged at both
facilities. This means that it will cost each participant (plus
accompanying adult, in many cases) $7-$14 at the aquarium and
$3-$7 at the art museum. It's like a back door fee.
All press releases only suggests that you visit the Gibbes, but
one states that you must take your photos of the animals in the
SC Aquarium's new exhibit, while others only "urge"
that you visit the exhibit at the aquarium. I don't know what
to make of this.
The contest is promoted as a fun and interactive way to learn
about photography, but it seems more like a way to boost admissions.
If this event is supposed to be an educational experience you
would think some arrangement would have been made to offer free
admission to those wishing to participate in the competition.
I'm sure that's at least the wish of some of the parents who will
learn about this event from an excited student bringing a flyer
home from school. Oh thanks - another educational opportunity
that cost me money!
And, I just can't pass up the opportunity to pose the question
- what is an aquarium that is supposed to be a resource about
SC's environment and animals doing promoting exotic animals such
as anacondas and piranhas? What county in SC has those animals?
Finally, we have the Redux Contemporary Art Center's (Charleston,
SC), 3rd Portrait Knockdown - where artists test their
skills at creating portraits - head to head - until only one is
standing. The Knockdown starts with 64 artists who paint,
draw, sculpt, or otherwise produce portraits of each other head
to head within a time limit. A winner is decided by a fabulous
panel of jurors. The winners then move on to the next round. Six
rounds will determine who is the portrait grand champion of the
world! And, who will walk away with the $1,000 grand prize. Entry
Fee is $40, which includes free lunch and beverages for both days.
The event is open to anyone wishing to participate. Just show
up with entry fee and talent. It's a 64:1 chance of winning $1,000
for an investment of $40 and two days of making portraits - and,
lots of free critiques!
Here we have a creative, fun, educational and spectator oriented
fundraiser. Even the "non-winners" will learn something
about portraitmaking - besides consuming all the food and beverages
you can consume in two days.
So there you go - three different examples of ways to fundraise
using the arts - plus my little spin on each. All three present
different kinds of opportunities for artists, children, and the
general public. All three depend on the visual arts. I guess we
have something of value to offer. Which ones you prefer to participate
in are up to you. I'm just the messenger with an opinion.
Carolina Arts
is published monthly by Shoestring
Publishing Company, a subsidiary of PSMG, Inc.
Copyright© 2004 by PSMG, Inc., which published Charleston
Arts from July 1987 - Dec. 1994 and South Carolina Arts
from Jan. 1995 - Dec. 1996. It also publishes Carolina Arts
Online, Copyright© 2004 by PSMG, Inc. All rights reserved
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