Starry, Starry Nite
Fundraiser for the Winnsboro Center For the Arts

It literally takes months to prepare for what has become an annual event at the Winnsboro Center for the Arts (WCA) as artists create "functional art." They paint on small pieces of furniture, wooden serving trays, and boxes which are then auctioned off during the gala evening.

"It is very time intensive," says Margit Iguchi, who chairs the event. "But it is a lot of fun to see what unique pieces can be created. And this is a good way to support the art center." (She is pictured here with a Bombay Chest that she painted)

The art auction and dinner fundraiser was held November 13th and preparing for it started back in the summer. Margit held painting sessions that were open to anyone who wanted to pick up a brush and join the fun.

Other local artists who shared their talents were Grahame Hopkins, Efton Edwards, Adrienne Walters, Helen Burlingham, and Dorothy (Dottie) J. King.

Two Winnsboro High School students also painted some pieces. Molly Blair, who has shared her acting talents with the theatre department of WCA, has also had her art work showcased in student exhibits, and she designed the mural for the MLK park in Winnsboro. She painted four pieces for the auction, including an Oriental Tea Tray. Molly is a senior at WHS, as is Caitlyn Johnson. Caitlyn has been in several theatre productions at WCA and has acted in or produced winning UIL theatre productions at WHS. Caitlyn painted a garden table with colorful flowers.

A folding table was painted by another student, Vera Bosgraaf, who was visiting Winnsboro from Holland this past summer. She stopped in to visit WCA and said she would love to come and help paint. She did this pop-art piece that was purchased by Jane St. Romain. (Jane St Romain)

Vera is 16 years old and is in her fifth year of high school in Holland. She explained that the school system is different in Holland than in the United States. In Holland, students start school at age 4 and attend elementary school until age 12. Then they go on to either four or six years of high school. Art history is one of her favorite subjects and she shared that she has always loved to draw.

Grahame Hopkins painted a beautiful scene of an Amish Carriage on a Shaker Dansk Serving Tray. He said the project challenged him as an artist because he didn't want the picture to be framed on the top of the table. "I wanted to create a sense of it floating there," he said. "So I experimented with several techniques until I could get the blended effect I wanted."

His enthusiasm for the project was contagious as he explained how he drew the horse and buggy with India Ink, and then used water colors and lots of water to mute the background. The result was stunning, and the piece garnered one of the highest bids of the night.

Barbara Hums, pictured here with Grahame, was the top bidder, and she was thrilled to get the piece. "Not only is it a beautiful piece of art," she said. "But it means a lot to me personally. I grew up in Amish country, and I was so excited when I saw this. Plus, I am so happy to have something painted by Grahame. He is such a talented artist."

The auctioneer, John Christian, did his best to get the highest prices he could for the work. He is also an artist, so he has a real appreciation for the value of the pieces being auctioned. He was happy to be back at WCA, and said he would like to become more involved in the center. "This is a wonderful place that supports artists and I think it is only right that artists support it," he said. "There aren't many places like this and we need to make sure it is here for a long time."

The success of an evening like this is not just measured by revenue. People had a good time and enjoyed a delicious meal. They were also able to take home some one-of-a-kind pieces of art.

Many area businesses supported Starry, Starry Nite with donations for the silent auction, and WCA is grateful to one and all. "The community support of the art center has always been wonderful," Margit said. "We would not have survived this long without them."