Artopia Recap

Saturday evening, five of my friends and I volunteered at Artopia, the major fundraiser for Big Bend Cares. Big Bend Cares provides education and comprehensive support to people infected with or affected by  HIV/AIDS. Literally hundreds of artists donate pieces of art, and local businesses contribute gift certificates and items. Most goes to a series of silent auctions, but the best of the art (as judged by a jury of local volunteer experts) is sold in a live auction.

 

we all wore volunteer badges

The Director of Development and Support Services, Perry Thomas Snead, is an Alpha Chi Omega alumna. This event was her baby, and it was great to get out and support her as well as a great cause.

here we are at the event: from left to right me, Marc, Jenn, Perry, Britain, Chris & Kate

We were excited to see that local business owner Susan, of Chrysalis (another Alpha Chi alumna) donated this great butterfly pillow to the auction.

   

We all had different tasks while volunteering. Britain, Chris, Kate and I worked to gather silent auction bids after each gallery closed, and placed winning bids on the board for all patrons to view. Jenn & Marc worked the live auction noting winners and the final selling price. Kate worked as a ring girl, notifying patrons when the galleries would be closing, giving everyone a ten-minute warning to get in their last bids. Chris, Kate and Britain worked to display and showcase art pieces during the live action.

When we first arrived, we had a chance to tour all the galleries. Jenn, Britain, Chris and I placed bids on a few items. I didn't win any of mine, but Britain and Chris took home three pieces (see below) and Jenn won at least one gift certificate.

 

Kate admires the art in one of the silent auction galleries

Chris with Accession One - Emergence by artist Peter Barry, which he and Britain won. It is the 3rd painting from a series of 5 and is about the process of personal emotional/spiritual change.

The second piece B and C won is an abstract by Linda Van Beck. The artist noted that originally the billows were to represent water lilies however as the painting evolved it felt more like the wind became more important than the water lilies.

The last piece B and C took home is titled the "Eiffel Tower in Winter." It is a simple but evocative black and white photograph taken in 2005. 

Overall, it was a great event, very well attended, and tons of fun (especially the live auction - lots of audience cheering and encouragement of deep pockets! I saw one piece go up to $2500!). I hope we're in town for next year's event and can attend!