Paint Presque Isle event to fund
art-related programs in area schools
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
ARELIS JIMENEZ of Presque Isle set up her easel behind Presque Isle Redemption on the Washburn Road and painted the Aroostook River – complete with the old bridge off in the distance – during last year’s “Paint Presque Isle: A Fresh Paint Event and Auction,” which was held as part of the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest. Jimenez was one of 12 artists to create original pieces that were auctioned off that night. The second annual event raised $5,300 for the Aroostook Partners in the Arts. This year’s Paint Presque Isle event will be held Saturday, Aug. 28.
PRESQUE ISLE – Local residents and visitors alike are encouraged to support this year’s “Paint Presque Isle: A Fresh Paint Event and Auction,” scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 28 as part of the seventh annual Crown of Maine Balloon Fest.
For the third consecutive year, artists will set up around the Star City and create original pieces which will then be auctioned off that night with proceeds benefiting the Aroostook Partners in the Arts.
Registration will be held from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the Northeastland Hotel. As part of the $10 registration fee, artists will receive a bag lunch.
“We have 12-14 artists already planning to attend,” said Heather Harvell, one of the participating artists and a member of the Aroostook Partners in the Arts, host of the event. “We hope even more will decide to participate before Saturday.
“People set up all around Presque Isle last year,” she said, “and it was great. The excitement continues to increase; the artists are excited to paint and the community is anxious to see what they come up with.”
The Paint Presque Isle event will be held rain or shine.
“It rained last year, but it was still very successful,” said Harvell, noting that last year’s fund-raiser netted $5,300. “I painted from the trunk of my vehicle. Other artists were set up with umbrellas and tents, while some sat inside a business and looked out the window and painted. The artists should definitely prepare for inclement weather.”
At 3 p.m. artists will bring their completed work back to the hotel where it will be matted by Morning Star Art & Framing.
A preview reception will be held from 6-7 p.m. and the auction will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets, which are $5, are available at the door.
“From 6-7 p.m. is when people are trickling in, enjoying some refreshments and viewing the artwork,” said Harvell. “It’s a really important time for both the prospective buyers and the artists because it gives people a chance to mingle and ask the artists about their work. It’s also a good opportunity for the artists to interact with one another.”
The artists can choose to donate all or a portion of the proceeds from their artwork to the Partners in the Arts. To facilitate bidding, organizers ask for a price range for each work. The high end represents the fair market value at gallery price, while the low end will be the “artists’ reserve,” the price below which artists will not allow the work to be sold. Should any piece not receive the requested price, the artist will take the piece at the end of the auction.
“All the money is used to fund art-related programs in the schools, with the goal of expanding both experience and appreciation of the arts for our local students,” said Pat Rathbun, member of the Aroostook Partners in the Arts.
Recognizing that a lot of local residents like to watch the artists work, Harvell plans to place a large map at the Northeastland and label it with a pushpin in the area that the artists plan to paint.
“I encourage people to watch the artists work,” she said. “They’re very talented and are sure to create some wonderful pieces.”
“People are also invited to attend the auction where they can acquire original works of art in a wide range of prices,” said Rathbun. “In addition to the paintings, we will also be featuring a nice selection of donated pieces in a silent auction including several craft items.”
Aroostook Partners in the Arts, which organized in 1995 to work cooperatively with local schools to develop, support and sponsor high quality performing arts, visual arts and humanities experiences for school age children, typically meets at 11:30 a.m. on the second Wednesday of each month in the Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library community room. Anyone interested in joining the group is invited to attend a meeting. Community members should contact the library or Martha LaPointe at 768-6311 for exact meeting time.
For more information on the Paint Presque Isle event, call LaPointe or Harvell at 540-1754.
