Change of HeART
It’s been four years since the Black and White Beach Ball headlined our summer season with the HeART of the Community Art Auction—in the meanwhile we loved the LottoHeart Program (and even slipped in a year of rest)—but due to popular demand, this low-key cocktail reception and auction has reappeared and been reinvented. Take heart, the best is yet to come.
But first, an explanation: up until now, every art auction sponsored by CAMP Rehoboth has been of “donated” art—where the artist gives the art to the organization, and we benefit from the proceeds. The artist usually gets a warm-fuzzy feeling when the art has active bidding, and perhaps some new fans, but not much else. The tax code disallows artists from taking any charitable deduction above the cost of goods.
So, CHANGE 1: In order to be more respectful and equitable to artists who are asked to donate all of the time, and to thank them for so many years of dedication, and to give back to those who support us, this year we are splitting the proceeds 50/50. That means whatever we get for each piece gets split with the artists. Make no bones, we are trying to raise some money here, but fair is fair. Times are hard all around.
CHANGE 2: Our live auction will be lickety-fast, under the leadership of Lorne Crawford, with each opening bid at fifty percent of the fair market value. We won’t have time to quibble, so stay alert! Proxy bidding will be available for buyers who are interested in purchasing but unable to attend the June 3rd event. Decide in advance your maximum bid, and we’ll have a volunteer Do Your Bidding. Download a Proxy Form on the website or come into the office for more info.
During the decade since we inaugurated this auction, so many artists and art activities have blossomed in the Rehoboth Beach area; we have over 200 artists in the CAMP Rehoboth outreach lists alone. So how to choose? CHANGE 3: We asked four art afficionados to curate the night by each selecting six artists. We are delighted that the works represent a cross section of media and disciplines with an array of subjects and styles. And prices. We’ve put all of the art and information on all of the artists on the website for you to preview (go to the Black and White Beach Ball info and link from there). Many many thanks to each of the curators for shepherding the artists and the art to this point. Now it is up to you to decide what you’d like and where you’ll put it.
Murray Archibald, Artist and President of the CAMP Rehoboth Board. Artists: Rodney Cook, Ward Ellinger, Gary Fisher, Laura Hickman, Victor Letonoff, Andres Tremols.
Sondra N. Arkin, Artist and Curator. Artists: Joan Belmar, Scott G. Brooks, Anna U. Davis, Pat Goslee, Barbara Gruber, Renee Stout, Novie Trump.
Jay Pastore, Owner Gallery 50. Artists: Rick Bach, Susan Finsen, Lee Wayne Mills, Brian Petro, Duane Rieder, Ellen Sinel.
Andres Tremols, Artist and Designer. Artists: F. Lennox Campello, Max Hirshfeld, Laurel Lukaszewski, Christopher Speron, Betsy Stewart, Ellyn Weiss.
Preview the art from Memorial Day weekend May 26-June 2 at the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center. And on Sunday, May 27, from 4-7 p.m., join us for a Sneak Peek Wine and Cheese Reception. This will give you a chance to see the work in person and meet some of the HeART artists.
Thanks to Presenting Sponsor PNC Wealth Management, the curators, and the artists. The Black and White Beach Ball returns on Sunday, June 3 from 5-8 p.m. featuring scrumptious small plates by Matt Haley Plate Catering and an open bar at the Clear Space Theatre, 20 Baltimore Avenue. Dress: Black and White Casual; Tickets: $75. Tickets are limited and may be purchased online or by calling 302-227-5620.
Photos: Pictured art is by: (Top Row) Victor Letonoff, Ward Ellinger, Pat Goslee, Laurel Lukaszewski, and Susan Finsen. (Bottom Row) Ellen Weiss, Joan Belmar, and Laura Hickman. Title bar background by Brian Petro.
Curators and Their Artists
HeART of the Community 2012 Art and Artists
Purchase Black and White Beach Ball Tickets
Download Proxy Bidding Form
Heart of the Matter: Labor of Love
For those of us in the Business of Art, we are endlessly asked how the value of art is determined. Among our friends, a $4 latte, a $50 bar tab, a $900 weekend in NYC, a $3,000 chair, a $6,000 vacation—these are possible and possibly easy purchases—yet a $900, $2,000 or $6,000 work of art is more difficult. Why is that?
I don’t exactly know. Maybe because someone made it— and possibly someone you know. And for some people that might seem like a judgment of some sort. Or they worry about how the fair market value was determined. Or they fret that it is just an impulse. You’ll have that art for a long time. Original, contemporary art brings excellent tangible and intangible qualities. It can be the showpiece of your collection. Art makes your home, well, your home. I love having a collection on my walls of people and moments and memories and beauty and fun. Art is what we love.
Some ask: is it a good investment? I say, who cares? Do you love it? Can you live with it? Will you grow to love it? Others say: my walls are full. I say, rotate your collection: change it up! make it fresh! Others ask: what if I grow tired of it? I say: enjoy for as long as you do and then give it to a favorite nephew or donate it to a charity. As the buyer, you can donate art to a non-profit and take the value as a tax deduction (unlike the maker of that art). Love it, buy it, enjoy it. Get rid of it if you have to. Tastes change and that’s okay. But more likely love grows. The art will remind you of a person and a place and a time and you will feel it in your heart.
The art in this auction has retail pricing from $650-$8,500. The artists have reams of awards, have thousands of exhibitions among them, and are included in countless prestigious museums and collections. The Curators selected work that each loved. Check it out on the web and at the preview so you feel like you know it.
How do we determine the value of art? Really, I have no idea. But I thought I’d put the question back to the universe and see who’s listening.