Auction Taps Largesse of Artists to Make Sick Children’s Wishes Come True

By NICOLE LEWIS

The Northeast Ohio office of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which

seeks to fulfill the fantasies of seriously ill children, has a new twist on a tried-and-true fund-raising method: the art auction.

On two Saturday mornings last summer, 25 sick children worked with an equal number of professional artists in Cleveland to produce artwork. That artwork, along with pieces donated by the artists themselves, were sold at a silent auction, raising $5,000 for the charity. Eighty people bought $25 tickets to the “Art in August” event, and one piece of artwork attracted a high bid of $600.

While most charity auctions focus solely on raising money, this event, while it produced modest gains, served the dual purpose of bringing in dollars and providing a creative outlet for children. And next year, Make-A-Wish hopes to raise even more money from the art auction because it has enlisted a corporate sponsor to help defray expenses.

Andrea M. Karcic, a muralist and graphic artist in Cleveland, proposed the idea last spring. She worked quickly to organize the event with the Northeast Ohio office of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants such wishes as trips, gifts, and celebrity visits to children between the ages of 2 and 18 who have life-threatening illnesses. The event was held in August, when children would not be busy with school.

Organizers first sent letters to artists, soliciting participation in the event and a donation of a piece of art for the auction. By July, 25 artists — painters, potters, sculptors, and jewelers — had agreed to participate. They were paired with children ages 6 to 16 who had an interest in art. The artists provided supplies.

During two weekend sessions, the children received one-on-one art lessons while the artists learned about the charity’s work. Most of the artwork depicted children’s wishes, such as swimming with dolphins and throwing the first pitch at a baseball game, says Traci Felder, executive director of the Northeast Ohio office. The charity provided lunch for participants after the workshops.

Because of the event’s quick turnaround, the foundation did not have much time to market or plan the auction. Invitations were mailed to 200 donors, board members, artists, participating families, and corporate leaders.

The Cleveland Institute of Art donated space for the art workshops and auction. Make-A-Wish paid for light refreshments and a jazz band for the auction, plus the printing and mailing of the invitations. The only decorations were framed posters of cut-out silver stars with handprints and signatures of the professional and child artists. The children kept the posters as reminders of the event.

Bidding at the silent auction started at $100 per piece. Every artwork sold, though the charity was prepared to purchase any items that did not.

Many artists who participated last year said they would do it again this year, says Ms. Felder. She said she hopes to double the amount raised this August by increasing auction attendance and the participation of children and artists.

In addition, a corporate sponsor, Omnova Solutions, a chemical company that also produces decorative wall coverings, has agreed to help underwrite the auction’s cost, says Theresa Carter, director of the company’s foundation.

For more information on “Art in August,” see the Web site, http://www.makeawishohio.org, or contact Sara Koons, Special Events Manager, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast Ohio, 24100 Chagrin Boulevard, Suite 125, Cleveland, Ohio 44122; (216) 464-7755; sarak@makeawishohio.org.