Artists to canvas The County Saturday
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — A colorful fundraiser that for the last five years has generated artwork featuring only Presque Isle scenes and images is now giving artists the opportunity to Paint The County.
The sixth annual “Paint The County: A Fresh Paint Event and Art Auction” will be held Saturday, Aug. 24 in Presque Isle.
“Artists are invited to join us to paint their favorite places, people and events,” said Pat Rathbun of the Aroostook Partners in the Arts, which sponsors the event. “In previous years, the event was limited to Presque Isle. This year, the event has been expanded in scope by inviting artists to paint anywhere in the county.
“Artwork may be sketched in and started prior to Saturday, but must be completed with ‘fresh paint’ on that day,” she said.
While the change will allow artists to paint wherever they are most comfortable, the concept remains the same.
“Artists will paint an original piece of art Saturday, and then they will deliver it to the Partners to have it matted, juried and displayed for sale at the reception/auction that will take place that very night,” said Heather Harvell, member of the Aroostook Partners in the Arts. “The proceeds will go to the Partners, an organization whose mission is to bring more art enrichment to the schools in Aroostook County.”
During the 2012-13 school year, the Partners funded performances and events such as Karen Montanaro, mime dance workshops, Lukas Im Dorf jazz group, sent the Zippel Elementary School fourth grade to the Farnsworth Art Museum, “Hamlet” performed by Monmouth Theater for Caribou High School and Limestone students, donated funds to help the Limestone Community School and Presque Isle High School Destination Imagination teams travel to the finals in Knoxville, Tenn., Maple Meadow Farm Festival and Wintergreen Arts Center.
“None of this would be possible without Paint The County being a success!” said Harvell, noting that there are some very talented artists returning who have confirmed their participation in this year’s event, as well as many new faces.
“To complete a painting in part of one day and then have it ready to be juried and up for sale can cause some artists anxiety, but what I have seen is that the artists who are willing to come out and be a part of a fresh paint event have grown in their skill and confidence,” she said. “New mediums emerge and a greater sense of confidence takes over. Also I know of many commissioned pieces that come about as a result of artists participating in this event.
“It is a great way for artists to showcase their skill and style and it gives attendees the opportunity to mingle with the artists, ask questions, and buy original work,” said Harvell.
Artists are allowed to take home a percentage of what their piece goes for or they can donate 100 percent back to the Partners. Only 15 paintings will be chosen for the live auction. In the past, artists have brought in more than one piece to be entered; now the artist will have the option of placing their second piece in the silent auction.
“The way this event is set up is a win, win, win for everyone. The artist can receive funds but also get exposure while supporting the arts in Aroostook County,” said Harvell. “The art buyer gets to choose from local original artwork, walk away with a wonderful piece of art, and support arts in The County, and the Partners are able to provide our local area students with experiences in the arts and culture that they wouldn’t have normally had. How can you go wrong?”
In addition to the live auction event, there is a silent art auction going on simultaneously. The Aroostook Partners in the Arts have already received pottery, jewelry, photography, and an afghan just to name some of the items to be included in the silent auction.
“The silent auction has seemed to take on a life of its own,” said Harvell. “Since the live auction is limited to paintings, the silent auction allows artists to take part that aren’t painters.” Anyone wishing to donate items to the silent auction can call 768-6311 or drop them off at the event table in the Northeastland Hotel lobby Saturday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Registration for artists will be held from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Northeastland Hotel if they choose to do so, or if the artist is painting at a location other than the Presque Isle area, they will need to have their art piece brought into the Northeastland Hotel by 3 p.m. where it will be matted by Morning Star Art & Framing. There is no fee to participate.
Recognizing that a lot of local residents like to watch the artists work, there will be a large map at the Northeastland to show the location of where each artist plans to set up locally.
A preview reception will be held from 6-7 p.m. and the auction will begin at 7 p.m. Admission to the reception/auction is free. Dr. Don Zillman will be this year’s auctioneer.
“From 6-7 p.m. is the opportunity to view the artwork, decide which pieces you would like to bid on, while enjoying a glass of complimentary wine and refreshments. It is also a time to bid on the silent auction items and enjoy time with friends,” 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, the artists are asked for a fair market value at gallery price, and an “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.
Pre-registration for participating artists is encouraged. Forms can be picked up at Morning Star Art & Framing or online at www.crownofmaineballoonfest.org. Visit them on Facebook at “Aroostook Partners in the Arts” or the event page “Paint The County” for more information on this event and others to come.
The painting fundraiser will be held rain or shine and artists are encouraged to prepare for inclement weather and bring such items as an umbrella, canopy, raincoat and sweatshirts.
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 The County event, call Harvell at 540-1754. This year’s sponsors include Rathbun Lumber, Northeastland Hotel, Channel X, UMPI, Morning Star Art & Framing, Ace RentACar, Barresi Benefits Group, Dr. Don Zillman, Northeast Publishing, MMG, Donna Umphrey and Lara Cannon.
