Dear Friends & Artists,
Artopia 2015 is right around the corner, and this year’s event stands to be the biggest and most rewarding ever for the families that we serve. It is hard to believe that Big Bend Cares has been hosting the area’s largest charity art auction for 17 years! Because the number of attendees and artists continues to grow, we will be holding the event at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center on Saturday, June 27. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the general public, with a VIP private showing starting at 6 p.m.
You may notice that we are getting in touch with our artists a couple months earlier than in years past, and we’re doing it for a reason. Big Bend Cares values your time and talent, and we want to provide you with the maximum amount of time possible to make giving easy. We understand and appreciate hard work that goes into creating art, and we value both you and your contributions.
Big Bend Cares understands that your time is money, and sometimes art is worth more than what it may sell for at auction. With this in mind, we humbly ask that you consider creating a piece specifically for the event. We will do all we can to display and advertise these exclusive pieces. This letter is our commitment to you and your work.
As the event grows, so does the need to ensure we take the best possible care of the art. Big Bend Cares has created a better storage system for your work in order to accept pieces sooner. We will be offering art lovers the opportunity to purchase your art—even after the auctions are over—via our website. This allows more exposure for the event and, more important, for the artist.
This year we also are offering the “Meet the Artopian” series to advertise and inform the general public about you and your work through social media and our website. We believe these changes will strengthen and expand the community of artists and buyers that support Big Bend Cares. #Artopian will connect all of us and empower the Artopia community to help Big Bend Cares serve our local families affected by HIV/AIDS.
As the new Deputy Director for Big Bend Cares, I want to hear from you. Please feel free to contact me at cadams@bigbendcares.org or through Big Bend Cares’ Facebook page. Please take the time to “Like” our page as well. Much of our updating and advertising will take place there. I can also be reached at the office at 850-656-2437 extension 225. I look forward to meeting you and learning about your love of art and our Community. Please view the Artists’ Solicitation Form for rules regarding the participation in the Best-In-Show contest and other important dates.
Sincerely,
Charlie Adams
Deputy Director, Big Bend Cares
