Chasing Down The Muse: Artists’ panels for auction

The Story Behind … The Story Ahead. One is written, with all its bumps and scars, glories and missteps. The other, filled with hope and dreams, lies just ahead.

It has been a year now since the “behind” story began and the culmination is near. On Sunday, from 3 to 5 p.m., the Sawdust Art Festival will hold a live auction of more than 50 Collectors’ Panels created by the generous artists of the festival.

The Story Behind began when the Sawdust Festival’s 2010 Committee was asked to be in charge of a fundraiser. Since I am on this committee I was fortunate to be in on the adventure from the very inception. The committee had already been discussing possibilities and so I jumped at the opportunity when presented.

First, there were the questions. For what would monies raised be used? The answer was soon obvious. Art education at the festival is close to all our hearts and part of the organization’s own mission statement. The committee asked the Art Education Committee to give us their top three needs on a wish list. They identified three much needed facility improvements, and we were off and running.

What form would we utilize that could include artists from the myriad fields available at the Sawdust? The two-inch deep, 12-by-32-inch “cradled” panel was decided upon. This way an artist could go vertical or horizontal and even turn the panel around to use as a “box” structure. In fact, two artists — James Koch and Terrell Anansi — used both sides of their panels.

Now, where would we get these panels and at what price? Here, we got really lucky. Generosity still abounds in this great community of ours. Ganahl Lumber donated materials and Sawdust Festival board member and artist Bruce Linder stepped up to make the panels we requested. Claude Sevigney of Hardwood Construction provided the saw and assisted in milling the wood. The Committee helped with sanding and putty applications.

Artist John Eagle painted the first panel as a visual aid for the committee’s unveiling of the plan for the fundraiser. We were ready. In January of this year we offered the opportunity to Sawdust Festival artists at their yearly Presentation Day where the artists show their wares for entry into the non-juried show. The response was overwhelming, and the 20 panels were gone in a flash. Bruce was sent back to the shop with orders for more.

More panels were made, word spread and, before we knew it, greater interest was piqued. Nearly 100 panels were taken by artists to create their donation. What generosity of heart!

In June, Mark de Palma of Mark’s Restaurant hosted our Press Night for artists and members of the Press. The 77 completed panels were displayed together for the first time — a sight to behold.

After this gala start to the season, we began staging for this Sunday’s live auction. Arts Commissioner Mary Ferguson suggested each panel have a “Buy It Now” price as silent bidding went on throughout the summer. We thought this to be a brilliant idea and, in fact, it was beneficial in bringing down the number of panels to actually go to live auction.

So that is the Story Behind. Now we have come to the Story Ahead. You, too, can be a part of this story. Come to the live auction on the Entertainment Deck of the Sawdust Festival on Sunday afternoon. Enjoy the cool breezes and warm sun as you wander the grounds under the grand eucalyptus trees. Listen to the music. Grab a bite to eat. Peruse the panels displayed and then join us for the live auction at 3 p.m.

For the Story Behind, special thanks go, of course, to the many artists who donated their time and energy to this project. Many of these artists, along with staff members, have worked extra hard to write this story and the Story Ahead. I only wish I could acknowledge them all.

You can hope and dream right along with all of us intimately involved in this project. Our hopes and dreams involve raising enough money to really make a difference for the Art Education program. Yours might be to take home that special piece one of the artists has created just for this event. I hope you will help us to write the end of the Story. Again, that is 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday for the live auction of Collectors’ Panels.

I’ll be there. Don’t forget to say “Hi.”

CHERRIL DOTY chases down the muse wherever she takes her in order to explore the many wondrous mysteries of life. You can contact her at (714) 745-9973 or [email protected].