The Art of Giving in Our Current
Climate
 Memorial Day weekend is fast upon us, and
it brings the preview of the 2008 HEART of the Community art project with
artworks to be auctioned at the Black and White Beach Ball—this year on
May 31st at the Atlantic Sands. Works for this project will be hanging in
CAMP Rehoboth May 23-May 30.
For our seventh annual project, we chose
the loosely defined theme of Living Color. Now that all of the
pre-dedication founders’ circle ribbons have been cut, and the new
community center addition is well underway, it seemed that we should turn
to the next stage of the CAMP Rehoboth legacy: living together in health
and harmony.
Each year we head into this project with a
small amount of trepidation. The money raised from this auction project
has become an essential part of the CAMP Rehoboth budget—raising over
$160,000 in the first six years. This money has gone directly to support
the capital campaign.
 We try to limit the number of works in the
live auction to keep the night fun and lively. Yet we always have more
artists wanting to participate than we can accommodate. Why is that?
1) The theme: creating work that relates to
a theme is fun. It challenges the artist to
contemplate an idea, which is very much the
essence of what making art is about.
2) The cause: CAMP Rehoboth is providing
services and developing a culture that is near and dear to many of us.
From health to information to legislative services, CAMP Rehoboth serves
not only the GLBT community, but the community at large. Each of the
artists is passionate in their support.
3) Our patrons: every artist is asked
repeatedly to donate their original creations to non-profits for  auctions.
This is usually a 100% donation, meaning that the artists do not get any
part of the money. It can be demoralizing if the bidders are not generous
and passionate. Luckily, we have always been blessed with bidders who
understand the art of giving. Many are collectors of the artists’ work,
but most are just supporters of CAMP Rehoboth who become part of the
project with their purchase.
This year, in addition to the live action,
we will have a few additional works available in a silent auction. These
allow patrons to bid without the pressures of the live auction. Some works
are smaller, and may or may not have been created to fit the theme.
 So come to the Black and White Beach Ball
with the intention of bringing home some art. Set yourself a budget if
that works for you, and have fun with us—and auctioneer Bob Ramsey.
There is something for everyone, in all sizes and media.
Many thanks to this year’s artists, many
returning, some new, some included in our exhibition project, others
donating to our silent auction:
JS Adams, Matt Adler, Murray Archibald,
Sondra N. Arkin, Jody Bergstresser, Wendy Carr, Rod Cook, Ward Ellinger,
Susan Finsen, Gary Fisher, Terry Isner, Spencer Kingwell, Lee Wayne Mills,
Jeffrey Moore, Michael Muller, Aina Nergaard-Nammack, Jim O’Dell, Brian
Petro, Nick Serratore, Ron Tate, Ellyn Weiss, and the Washington Glass
School. Thanks as well to HEART co-chair Mary Beth Ramsey.
For
a preview of HEART 2008: Living Color, join us at CAMP Rehoboth for a
reception with the artists on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, May 24
from 4-6pm.
Pictured art by: Aina Nergaard-Nammack, Jody
Bergstresser, Sondra Arkin and Ward Ellinger.
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