“Supporting Recovery Through Art”

Submitted by Maggie Payne, artist/clubhouse member


“Supporting Recovery Through Art” (formerly “Inspired by my Illness” Art Exhibit) raised more than $3900 for Friends in Action Clubhouse.

As the guests arrived at the 6th Annual Friends in Action Clubhouse Art Show and Sale, they were greeted by me, a proud clubhouse member and artist. From there, they could see our lovely refreshment table decorated with flowers and lemons. Clubhouse members, Brenda, Lindell, and Tina along with clubhouse staff persons, Donna Gilliam and Rebecca Burris, worked at that station throughout the event. Soft music was provided by Bill Miller.
Almost 300 pieces of artwork- sketches, oil painting, acrylics, pastels, ink and pencil- lined the walls at The Factory for our best show yet! A wide variety of styles were done by clubhouse artists; some season ed and some new. We also opened “Supporting Recovery Through Art” to the public this year. We had tremendous response from BJC clients-both adult and youth- and staff, family members, friends and people from the community who all reached out to us to donate artwork. The sales from this year’s show are the largest in our 6 years. The artists had the opportunity to receive up to 20% of the sale of the items, however many artists donated the full 100% of the sale to clubhouse. Clubhouse will begin distributing the artists’ portion from our total sales.
Several select pieces were chosen for the live auction. People really seemed to enjoy outbidding each other for a favorite piece. Some of the work this year was so exceptional. Water colors and oils were a big hit. The highest bidder of the multi-medium butterfly painting on canvas received a $150 gift certificate toward matting and framing by the local company, Crossroads Custom Framing. The auction brought in $1650.00!
For the first time we offered wine tasting through Sand Creek Vineyard. Yvette and Paul Govero worked the table and donated 100% of the tasting proceeds to clubhouse- total $160.00.
We have so many wonderful partners, both in-house and in the community, that helped prepare for the show. The members, artists, and staff at Friends in Action and BJC BH worked hand in hand to make this fundraiser a success. Members helped matt, frame, affix the backing and hooks and wrap each piece weeks ahead of the show. Other members helped hang the artwork at The Factory the week of the show. Clubhouse staff persons, Dawn Mathes and Cindy Hoeflein, were the lead coordinators for this event. Our lead artist, Betty, was visible all evening at the show attempting to sell the last of our 2014 FIA wall calendars (we still have more to sell… only $3 each and they have artwork displayed each month). Associate Director, Karen Miller, filled in for the auctioneer after he was unable to attend. Clubhouse staff person, Mike Hunt, was a “runner” during the live auction as he climbed the ladder for each piece and then handed each piece to one of the two clubhouse members, Lisa and Tina, who then displayed the artwork through the crowd as the bidding wars began. The check-out table was busy all night thanks to everyone who helped collect money: Caitlin Ford, Rebecca Counts, Letitia and Anna Portell. There were so many great people involved it’s hard to mention everyone. We are grateful to everyone who had a part in supporting this event!
Artwork not sold will remain displayed at The Factory through April 30. Bella Tu Salon & Spa, located in The Factory, has partnered with us and will be accepting payment for any artwork sold until April 30. The “traveling art wall” will display pieces not sold at the show and will be in the lobby at BJC Behavioral Health, SE site, the month of May in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month.
Our clubhouse is at full capacity and we need a larger facility so badly. The clubhouse encourages people with a mental illness to build their confidence and take part in the community around us. It helps us to live a full, productive life. If you were unable to attend the event this Saturday and are interested in donating to clubhouse, you can contact clubhouse at 573-431-9620 or fiaclubhouse@bjc.org.
Now … the clubhouse artists will begin preparing for our 2015 wall calendar that will be on sale at the end of this year.