The bidding was spirited, purposeful and animated at the Arts Based Elementary School’s Community Creates auction fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 25 — and with good reason. From a shimmering cube by Jon Kuhn, a glass artist, to abstract paintings by Nick Bragg, Kevin Calhoun, Raul Montero and Burton Rencher, the auction items were unique works done by established artists.
And the attending crowd of art lovers, who came from all areas of North Carolina, was thrilled with the selection.
As auctioneer Horace York introduced each piece, dignitaries, school staff and parents enthusiastically raised their paddles to acquire new works by their favorite artists, raising more than $20,000 for the school. Robin Hollis, the principal, explained how the money will be used.
“This money underwrites a resident artist coming to the school and working with the students,” Hollis said. “Many people are surprised to learn that we deliver the North Carolina Standard course of study along with our high profile in dance and art, and our students are very talented in science and math.”
“We connect local artists with local leaders for Community Creates, and they collaborate to create an original work of art for the event,” Claire O’Boyle said. “For our “100 for 100” part of the fundraiser, local artists and students create an original 8 by 10 painting, and individuals buy a $100 numbered ticket to pick out their favorite work. The works are unsigned on the front, so the artist is unknown until the piece is purchased.”
Bill Gramley and Kendall Doub created works for both the “100 for 100” and for the live auction. Kathy Cooper designed a painted floor cloth with a peacock motif, and Jan Detter offered a mixed-media urn that was one of the auction favorites.
Laura Frazier, a self-described homesteader who raises sheep and sells organic produce at the Krankie’s farmer’s market, created Black Sheep Dreams along with Jeff Bacon, executive chef for the Triad Community Kitchen. Other artists included: Diana Greene, Virginia Kassay, Rebecca A. Stone-Danahy, Steve Childs, Jack Hernon and Mona Wu. Tom Hollis built a contemporary coffee table with Sylvia Oberle, using recycled materials from Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore.
Peter Wilbur, who teaches at the school, often works with Mary Siebert, the school’s arts coordinator. Wilbur said that in addition to traditional subjects, students learn yoga, African drumming and classical music.
“We give a variety of learners a way in,” Wilbur said. “For example, in math we might work in groups and the kids with the highest scores will learn how to work with others so that everyone is participating. The kids collaborate on everything, and that is a great model for them for the future. If you think about it, you always hear that the best companies value and utilize every employee, so we’re educating our students well for the adult world.”
Siebert agreed, adding that the environment nurtures students on many different levels.
“Right now, the kids are participating in the Dancing Classrooms program,” she said. “One little guy who has really struggled with academic studies, has found that he is a gifted ballroom dancer. He has started wearing fancy clothes to school, and his self-esteem has taken off.”
During Community Creates, Siebert performed a “money” montage of songs, and event organizers Virginia Carlan, Heather Smith and Tabatha Renegar cheered on the action by displaying each artwork to audience members. As the aroma of chipotle-crusted tenderloin, chicken ravioli in alfredo-parsley sauce, and peach-berry cobbler with jalapeno peppers filled the auction room, guests filled plates and wine glasses while watching the proceedings.
After the auction, everyone headed to the student cafeteria for coffee and dessert.
“I just raised more than $1,000 for the school,” said Doub to his girlfriend Nikki Boles. “What a great event! I’m already thinking about what I’ll do for next year!”
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