A generous friend of a friend donated a rather expensive painting by Charles Fazzino to our auction.  Somebody pinch me!  The artist's work can be seen here:  fazzino.com.  Now to just get people there to see it...

Here's yet another rough draft of a second blog post I created for the Rescue:Freedom blog regarding the auction:

We’re excited to announce that Thatcher Kelley will be one of the artists featured in our art auction and benefit happening on Sunday, August 18^th, 2013 from 4 – 7 P.M.  His work can be seen at thatcherkelley.com.  In fact, Thatcher’s photography is currently on display at the auction’s location in Pioneer Square’s The Hub, located at 220 2nd Ave South, Seattle, WA 98104.  And there’s a reason for that.

            In order for us to acquire The Hub as our auction’s location, Andrea, the auction coordinator, needed to curate an art show over the summer for The Hub.  Upon seeing Thatcher’s work at a solo show of his earlier this year, Andrea knew he was just the artist for the exhibit.  As a photographer, Thatcher writes, “Fresh perspectives are what I seek out with my camera.  I’m not interested in replicating photographs I have seen before.  I want to find perspectives that make me and others think and feel differently”.  One just has to view Thatcher’s stunning, larger-than-life photos of land and cityscapes to know this is true. 

            Thatcher’s work can be seen throughout the summer at The Hub and at the Art Auction and Benefit for Rescue:Freedom happening on Sunday, August 18^th from 4 – 7 P.M., also happening at The Hub.  For information on the auction, please visit facebook.com/ArtAuctionforRescueFreedom.

Here's a copy of the first draft of a blog post about my auction that will hopefully appear in the Rescue:Freedom blog:

What happens when you use your talents to work against the things you are most concerned about?  Well, in the case of Andrea Krook, these things combined to create an Art Auction and Benefit for Rescue:Freedom, which is happening on Sunday, August 18^th from 4 – 7 P.M.

            Andrea is a graduate student at Northwest University in International Care and Community Development.  The program is about two years in length.  Every summer break, the students complete a practicum in a field which interests them.  Andrea knew she wanted to acquire project management experience.  She’s a watercolor artist (andreakrook.com).  And, she has a growing concern for the local and international sex trafficking problem.  The chair of her department introduced her to Jeremy Vallerand of Rescue:Freedom, and, after much thought, it was decided to put on an auction as a fundraiser for the organization. 

            The event itself is free and is being held in Pioneer Square at The Hub (thehubseattle.com) at 220 2nd Ave South, Seattle, WA 98104 with plenty of street parking nearby.  The auction will feature artwork by over 27 artists, including an acrylic by Brad Dinsmore (brad-dinsmore.com/home.html).  He created a painting just for this event.  It will also feature high quality craft items made by survivors of sex trafficking from India.  We’ve seen their work, and it’s beautiful.

            The event will also feature music and a live performance by Candice Russell who made it as far as Hollywood during season 11 of American Idol (candicerussell.com).  It will also feature free food, wine from Sozo Friends Winery, and coffee from Caffe Lusso.

            To learn more about our auction, please visit   facebook.com/ArtAuctionforRescueFreedom.  To RSVP, to our auction, please visit facebook.com/events/485645704847066/.

            We look forward to seeing you there!

Generous

Yesterday I met with my friend Ann who donated both art AND craft items to the auction.  I was really kind of humbled by her generousity.  We'd met up at church beforehand (Bethany Presbyterian, of course).  I'd gotten there late and was sitting in the back.  You know how worship can move you sometimes?  Well, it had totally moved her, and she mentioned how excited she was getting for the auction.  It makes me feel not alone in this.  I sometimes wonder if I'm "calling in" too many favors for this auction.  On a broader level, I also wonder why no one cares or tries to make life better for others.  Ann reminds me that's not true.  I think sometimes you just have to create a way for others to be a part of change...

Darek Farmer Photograpny

Here's a link to a participating photographer, Darek Farmer:  http://www.darekfarmerphotography.com/
http://www.darekfarmerphotography.com/Photography/Landscapes/9112856_8S6VCQ#!i=2634938559&k=6nQLj3h

Marketing

I've also been learning about marketing recently.

I'm not going to get people to my auction unless they know about it.  Lindsay, of Rescue:Freedom, suggested that I come up with a Facebook page ALONG with the Facebook invitation.  She also suggested that I come up with a contest to drum up some interest.  SO, if you "like" my page AND share it on your FB feed, I'll enter you into a drawing to win a free painting.  The drawing will be at the auction.  I think that's helped, and I'll continue to post about that.

I'm also coming up with a flyer and poster for the auction.  I'm also coming up with places to display those.  SO, if you know of a good place, let me know!  I have no idea how many posters I'll need, and I'm not sure how many I can afford to print.  God will make a way.  I'll be putting them up at my previous church, friend's churches, in the Pioneer Square neighborhood.  I'll be advertising in community newspapers, and I'm not sure where else.  I'd thought of Craigslist, but that also creeps me out.  We'll see...

Candice Russell of the Hollywood Auditions of Season 11 of American Idol

So, one exciting thing happened this week.  I got a musician to perform at the auction.  Her name's Candice Russell, and she made it to the Hollywood auditions of Season 11 of American Idol.  Admittedly, I never saw her on TV.  However, I've recently seen her sing on YouTube, and she's very good!  You can listen to her at candicerussell.com. 

She reminds me of Clay Aiken, in that I watched his American Idol audition and thought, "there's your winner."  He got second place and now has a career in music.  Now, she looks nothing like Clay Aiken, but she's another one of those performers where you think, "Wow, this person's got 'it'."  So, we'll see where her career goes.  I'm just glad to have someone truly talented performing.

I got in touch with her in the first place because her dad knows Jeremy, the president of Rescue:Freedom.  That guy knows everyone!

Candice's album releases soon, and she's still learning the guitar version of all of her songs.  So, during the auction, we'll play her CD in the background.  Right before we give our "ask", she'll sing one of her songs live (to a recorded track).  It's perfect because the song is actually about trafficking. 

Also, one thing I'm thankful for that I didn't think too much about beforehand is the tone her music will set.  It's perfect for what we're doing!  Her music's catchy and upbeat, and she's pitch perfect.  I think playing her music in the background is also good because we'll be able to hear each other over the music when we're just talking to friends at the auction.  I personally hate it when you go somewhere (unless it's a concert) and you can't hear because the music's so loud.

She's also willing to play for free.  She's getting some exposure, helping out for a cause she also cares about, and getting a chance to sell her CDs at our event ($10 each).  So, it's turning out to be a win-win for everyone!

Today I collected ten more art and craft pieces for the auction.  I'm so glad that I'm have enough art to put on an auction.  I still need more as I really do want to provide folks with a variety of things to choose from.  I also want to have a variety of price points.  I want more expensive art for those that can afford it.  Also, expensive art has the potential to bring in more funding for Rescue:Freedom and their partners who are benefitting from this. 

I also want less expensive art for everyone else!  I think it would be disappointing to show up for an auction and then totally be priced out of participation.  Also, it all adds up.  Ten pieces going for $20 each is still $200.

So, variety for me is key.

Featuring One of the Auction Artists

Here's a link to an artist who's donated a sculpture.  I'm sitting next to one of them now!  Thanks for sending it, Merla:

http://merlafrazey-jordan.com/gallery-of-horse-sculptures.html

I got some good news yesterday.  You know how the singers who make it to the "Hollywood" stage are really good?  Well, because of a Rescue:Freedom connection, one of them has agreed to perform at my auction for FREE.  We'll play this person's CD during the event, and then this singer has agreed to perform one song live.  It's just what the event needs!  I wanted music there, but it needed to set the right tone.  It also couldn't be too loud or distracting.  I'm not a fan of not being able to hear the conversation at parties.  So, this person is perfect.  I can't say who it is yet!  But, I will soon.

Also, the artwork is trickling in.  As are the volunteers and the food.  Now to just get people there...