Another worthy cause that CAL artists donated to was the Legal Project. This is an organization that provides free legal help to victims of domestic violence, lower income home purchasers, sexual assault survivors, those struggling with financial problems and others who are part of the growing "working poor'" community of the Capital District. One of their innovative programs is the Small Business Legal Network, which provides free legal consultations to small business owners or propsective owners.
This year their 12th Annual Silent Auction took place at their Annual Pro Bono Reception, which was held at the Terrace Gallery at the New York State Museum in Albany on October 25. The Mistress of ceremonies for the Reception is WNYT news anchor, Lydia Kulbida. This reception attracts nearly 300 attendees including bankers, lawyers, doctors, elected officials, business people and others who support the efforts of the Legal Project. This year they are going live with the on-line auction.
Our members donated works of art to the Columbia-Greene Humane Society. Celeste Plowden stated that their Annual Summer Paw's Picnic hosted an auction to benefit the SPCA on August 4, 2007.
This is an excerpt from the Painter's Edge, October issue, written by Kristie Bell, Director of the Local Color Art Gallery
In 2006 the Local Color Art Gallery and the Colonie Art League artists' donations have gone to help the following:
WMHT TV - Benefits public broadcasting. Colonie Art League members donated more items than any other organization.
YMCA - Benefits the Nassau Children's Summer Camp. Again, the Colonie Art League donated more than any other group.
Blairhouse Interiors Group Art Show - Gallery members participated in this event to benefit Juvenile Diabetes.
Shenendahowa Senior Center - Donations from gallery members benefited senior programs offered by the center.
We also assembled other related venues to enlighten and encourage art appreciation in our community:
A reception took place at the gallery to host stylists from Choice's Hair Salon, offering them exposure to our art world with the intention of influencing and enhancing theirs.
The Annual Pruyn House Summer Program, a children's art program presented by volunteers from the Colonie Art League, is followed by an exhibit at the Local Color Art Gallery.
The gallery's One-Day Workshops are presented by Colonie Art League artists who generously donate their time to a full day of sharing their knowledge and talent with others.
Artwork created as an attribute for ZONTA Club of Albany was displayed at the Local Color Art Gallery. Proceeds from sales went to the ZONTA organization which aids in helping the homeless.
Local Color Art Gallery commends its artists and fellow members of the Colonie Art League for their inspiring giving of themselves and their art - which are one and the same.
The Art of Giving
Since its inception in 2000, the artists of Local Color Art Gallery, along with the Colonie Art League, have generously responded with outright gifts to organizations hosting fundraising events to benefit worthy causes.
This year our artists have exceeded with an outpouring of donations of their work to support both local and national fund-raising campaigns. It is said that "a gift to others is a gift to yourself." And it is true; donors receive a more valuable gift: feeling good about themselves, and a feeling of affirming their place in the "human" community.
Although recognition and exposure for artist's charitable giving may not be the most noble of objectives, there is certainly nothing wrong with a pat on the back for feeling good about themselves because they have given to help others. But it goes beyond that for an artist. When an artist contributes a piece of artwork, they are literally giving a piece of themselves. Perhaps only an artist can understand this.
So many times artists will express how difficult it is to let go of certain pieces, their resistance to sell their work, or even exhibit in shows because of strong personal and emotional attachments. This is because of what they put into their art work and what it means to them - it is their heart and soul. The gift that artists give themselves as donors through acts of generosity is truly a thing of honest 'human' value. And the ultimate gift of their artwork as a donation reveals the artist's genuine desire to help others.
To contact the Colonie Art League, Inc., Local Color Art Gallery, and for further information on the website - any additions, corrections, or informative art news, send email to Sally Spring, webmaster at: colors@nycap.rr.com
