Artirondack artists sought

To the Editor:

It is the time of year again when the Mahoosuc Arts Council goes into full swing preparing for the annual ARTirondack Auction. We are seeking new and previous artists to volunteer to paint an Adirondack chair in the design of their choice. The artists’ work will then be featured in a variety of ways through our promotion of the event.

The ARTirondack Auction is a major fundraising project for the Council. All proceeds go toward supporting outstanding visual and performing arts programming for the adult and student populations of the greater Bethel area. At the same time, the talents of local artisans, who create beautiful functional works of art, are celebrated and provide opportunities to promote their work through the event.

Annually, the chairs are crafted and primed by a local artist, Reggie Brown, in late winter. The Council begins seeking volunteer artists in the spring. Community businesses and individuals are then found to sponsor the chairs, which are displayed around the Bethel area in the sponsors’ locations for viewing in June and July. Color brochures along with posters are published with photographs of each chair and the name of the artist with a map of the chair sponsor location. The sale of the chairs will take place on July 17, 2010 during Mollyockett Days. This long-standing community celebration draws thousands of visitors who will see volunteer artists’ work exhibited on the ARTirondack chairs. In addition the chairs will be featured during a preview event at the Bethel Inn & Resort, July 16 at 7 p.m. in the Gibson Room.

What ARTirondack ARTists do:

--Obtain one primed Adirondack chair from the Council.

--We can deliver to your home.

--Paint the design of your choice family event appropriate subject matter. (Paints must be for outdoor/exterior applications: exterior latex or oil-base.)

--Finish the chair in non-yellowing ultra-violet topcoat polyurethane of your choice.

--Call the Council to have your chair picked up by June 1, 2010.

--Come to the ARTirondack Auction and experience the philanthropy and fun.

Go to: www.mahoosucartr.org/ARTirondack for photos of past chairs for ideas and inspiration.

We are proud to say that some of our ARTirondack ARTists have found new opportunities or have received commissions directly as a result of ARTirondack Auction promotion efforts. In addition to publicizing the auction in print, on posters, brochures, and through sponsors, our generous auctioneer, Joe Gaidis, also lists the chairs on a national auction database.

We have a limited number of chairs. Volunteer artists can obtain chairs on a first come, first served basis. So please call soon if you are interested in again volunteering for ARTinrondack.

Aranka Matolcsy

Executive Director, Mahoosuc Arts Council