Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – Saturday will be a good opportunity for local residents to purchase original artwork and support a worthwhile cause at the same time.
Aroostook Partners in the Arts will be hosting the second annual “Paint Presque Isle: A Fresh Paint Event and Auction” Aug. 29 as part of the sixth annual Crown of Maine Balloon Fest, sponsored by the Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce.
Area artists will set up their easels throughout the city and paint whatever strikes their fancy.
At 3 p.m., the artists will bring their pieces to the Northeastland Hotel where they will be prepared for the auction. A preview reception will begin at 6 p.m. with a cash bar and complimentary appetizers. The auction begins at 7 p.m.
“This area has a wealth of historic architecture and inspirational settings just waiting to be captured,” said Dory Smith, co-chair of the Aroostook Partners in the Arts. “This fund-raising event helps support our mission of enhancing arts education for students in Aroostook County.
“Proceeds from the auction will go toward our group,” she said, “and the artists, as well. Artists are given the option of receiving a portion of the money their piece brings in or to donate all of the proceeds to our cause.”
Artists are asked to submit a registration form and $10 fee. Forms are available at Morning Star Frame Shop or by calling Smith at 764-4564 or Heather Harvell at 540-1754. Registration is from 8:30-9 a.m. Saturday at the Northeastland Hotel. As part of the registration fee, artists will receive a complimentary bag lunch, and they and a guest will be welcome at the reception and auction at no charge.
Organizers hope to have 15 pieces in the live auction. Other works will be featured in a silent auction.
Though Paint Presque Isle is a fund-raiser to help support the Aroostook Partners in the Arts, the event will serve other purposes, as well.
“This is also a way to support local artists and give them an opportunity to display their talent,” said Smith. “We’re also hoping to support the Presque Isle Downtown Revitalization Committee by bringing people into the city for this event, as well as other Balloon Fest activities.”
Publicity Chair Pat Rathbun said organizers are hoping to have 15-16 artists participating in this year’s fund-raiser.
“We invite people to come to the auction to buy an original painting of something painted in the local area,” she said. “By doing so, bidders are supporting the Aroostook Partners in the Arts which, in turn, brings performing arts programs and other art experiences into our school systems for kids.
“We try to maintain an adequate treasury – usually a few thousand dollars – to meet the requests that may come in from teachers and PTO groups. Most of our grants are in the $300-$500 range. If we have extra funds, we can sponsor extra programs,” said Rathbun. “We provide scholarships for students to attend the summer theater camp, we helped bring illustrator Jim Postier to SAD 1 to work with the students, as well as other worthwhile experiences,” said Rathbun. “It benefits all our local children and we work closely with the schools to do that.”
Rathbun hopes the auction will raise over $1,000.
“We have some well-known local artists, as well as some up-and-coming artists that will be participating this year,” she said, “so there will be a variety of art to bid on. We encourage the community to come out and support our cause, the arts and local children.”
The event will be held rain or shine, so artists are encouraged to plan accordingly.
Tickets for the reception and auction are $5 and are available at the chamber office, Street Fair, Wilder’s Jewelry, Morning Star Frame Shop or at the door.
File photo
SUZZANNE TOUSSAINT of Eagle Lake was one of the many artists who participated in last year’s Paint Presque Isle: A Fresh Paint Event and Auction. The second annual fund-raiser for the Aroostook Partners in the Arts will be held Saturday. Artists will set up their easels in the Star City and paint whatever inspires them, and the original artwork will go up for bid at an auction that night. Proceeds will help enhance arts education for students in Aroostook County.
