Creative Clay invites the public to Folk Art Frenzy: A Kaleidoscope of Art

By KERRY KRISEMAN
Public Relations Manager

Creative Clay is tapping into a built-in set of art aficionados with their newest online auction: Folk Art Frenzy: A Kaleidoscope of Art.

Creative Clay’s staffers, board members and friends happen to be experts on great, local folk art. The Folk Art Frenzy: A Kaleidoscope of Art gives them the chance to champion their favorite Creative Clay art piece.

“Almost everyone who works for or serves on the board of Creative Clay feels connected to an artist or a work of art that feels particularly meaningful to them,” said Creative Clay CEO Kim Dohrman. “This is a fun way to honor and celebrate those connections as we raise money for Creative Clay and its artists at the same time. If we all champion a favorite piece out to our network of friends, we can reach new folk art lovers and grow our circle of support.”

From 9 a.m. July 5 to midnight July 16, these Folk Art Champions will promote a selected piece of art in the Folk Art Frenzy online silent auction. The community is invited to bid on any of their favorite Creative Clay paintings, with all proceeds benefitting Creative Clay’s programs.

Creative Clay board member Hal Freedman hopes someone will love his chosen painting as much as he does.

“I decided to ‘champion’ Eric Bristow’s “Underground Mining” drawing (pencil & ink on paper), because I love its childlike simplicity and amazing detail,” said Freedman. “Every time I look at it, I see something new.”

Freedman agreed to champion a piece of art for Folk Art Frenzy as an extension of his support and appreciation of Creative Clay.
“Creative Clay’s mission involves art, inclusion, and education, all things important to me and my wife,” Freedman said. “I hope (the community) joins us in supporting this wonderful organization by bidding on the piece I selected, or a piece selected by another board member or staffer.”

In keeping with its mission of accessibility, minimum bids for all paintings are just $5 from the start price. Participants can bid as often as they like throughout the auction. Participants whose walls are full may support the Folk Art Frenzy by donating to Creative Clay at https://www.creativeclay.org/donate-cc.

The idea behind Folk Art Frenzy: A Kaleidoscope of Art is that if someone else loves a particular painting, whether for sentimental reasons or because of the artist’s use of color, others will, too. A bidding frenzy will ensue, with Creative Clay as the beneficiary of the excitement generated around winning a favorite painting.

Folk Art Frenzy allows the community to bid on affordable, original folk art by Creative Clay’s artists. There is no cost to register to bid, only a desire to positively impact the arts. Many of Creative Clay’s Member Artists’ work has been exhibited throughout the Tampa Bay area and admired and purchased by folk art collectors. Bidders will surely find something to love.

As the word suggests, the paintings will feature a kaleidoscope of art, visually and subjectively. The Folk Art Champions have chosen diverse works that range from whimsical to wondrous, and that showcase Florida landscapes and iconic scenes.

“There’s no way a person who loves art won’t find something they like at Creative Clay and the Folk Art Frenzy. No matter your artistic tastes, the variety of styles and stories represented in the works offer something for everyone,” said Development Coordinator Shane Hoffman.

Join Creative Clay virtually, beginning July 5, at https://creativeclay.cbo.io. Bid as often as you want, for just $5 or more. The Folk Art Frenzy is a way to support inclusive art programs, treat yourself to a new piece of art and support local artists.
Creative Clay’s vision is to make the arts accessible to all. Our mission is to help people with disabilities achieve full and inclusive lives through access to the arts by providing expressive, educational, and vocational experiences.

Creative Clay’s core program is its Community Arts Program, which serves 50-60 adult artists with neuro-differences each week. Through the implementation of additional offerings, such as the inclusive Art Around the World summer camp, Summer Studio for older teens and young adults, Artlink employment program, Creative Care Arts in Wellness outreach program, and its Pinellas County Schools’ partnership Transition program, individuals of all ages and abilities are mentored, taught and empowered to become working artists who actively create, market and sell their work. The result is that a formerly stigmatized population, through the art it creates and sells, demystifies stereotypes surrounding those with disabilities and creates a culture of acceptance throughout the community.

Learn more about Creative Clay at www.creativeclay.org. Follow on Facebook, on Instagram @creativeclaystpete, on Twitter @creativeclay, and on LinkedIn.