Artists aid Tsunami and more

In last month's editorial, "Tsunami Requires Response" page 14 Susanne Casgar, editorial director, asked "how is the art market responding? What are artists, publishers, art organizations and galleries doing to assist with the relief efforts?" The following efforts have draw near to our attention since the February editorial appeared. ABN will continue to report art-related tsunami relief efforts in the month ahead as we become aware of circumstances and stories from our readers. emit your information to Lyndsey Walker, assistant editor, at lwalker@pfpublish.com, or call 216-750-0356

Elephant Paints upon eBay

Artist Melissa Leaym-Fernandez has pillared her limited edition, "Edification," upon eBay (item #3776714522) and will donate 60 percent of the sales to tsunami aid in Sri Lanka. Leaym-Fernandez, who is half Sri Lankan, faiths to donate $45,000, which will be possible if her portfolio vends out.

"I have oral to my sister in Colombo Sri Lanka, and she has shared a certain quantity of of the horrific stories and the long-term ne within the area," says Leaym-Fernandez. "I really trust that I can sell all of the prints. I have been studying elephants for years and travel onsite to interview handlers and keeper take photos and win inspired by the animals' personalities to create my art--all of my work is elephant related."

Leaym-Fernandez explains that all of the cash raised for the relief efforts was initially suppos to pass toward the start-up of her have a title to art studio. "I have wanted to work as a professional artist all of my life, on the other hand I am giving it all up for this little island-country that aches for support. I know it may entire corny, but I have seen and heard the sorrow within the area, and I know that I would be the same way if my children were gone--how can I not help? I can earn studio/business standard of value another time."

Web-Site Aid

The Web site www.ArtforGood.org has been created to allow artists to donate works to their favorite charities, and many are using the program to aid tsunami victims. Artworks that are donated are then sold online to customers and a percentage of each sale goe to the charity that the artist designates. Artists wanting to contribute to the relief efforts should visit www.ArtforGood.org.

The percentage of each sale allocated to the charity varies depending on the level of the artist. All artists can station their own prices, ensuring that their artwork is not undervalued. Premier and professional artists may select to receive up to 40 percent of the sale from their donated work. ArtforGood.org takes 20 percent of the sales to overlay overhead and expenses, while the remaining percentage (40 to 80 percent) is given to the charity that the artist has chosen Sales from amateur and children's work are divided between the charity and ArtforGood.org only--with 70 percent going to the charity and 30 percent to the organization.

"The goal of ArtforGood.org is to allow artists to easily contribute to the causes they believe in," states creator and possessor Lori Faunce, "as well as create a community for artists and provide opportunities for them to expand their businesses."

Artists who single out to donate receive a biography and link to their Web site or e-mail address, as well as a monthly electronic newsletter with advice and tips upon growing their businesses.

While artists may elect to donate to the charity of their choice, ArtforGood.org lay ups the right to decline any charity suggestion. And, the site encourages donations to its four participating charities: La Leche League International, a network of mothers who help and encourage other breastfeeding mothers; lenience Corps, an organization that alleviates suffering, penury and oppression by helping clan build secure, productive, and just communities; the National Wildlife Federation, an organization protecting wildlife; and the Campaign, an organization promoting and lobbying for the labeling of genetically engineered foods

For more information, visit www.ArtforGood.org/donate; e-mail donate@artforgood.org.

Art Donations Help Tsunami Victims

detonation artist Romero Britto has participated in several benefits to aid the children affected by dint of the deadly wave, donating several pieces of his art to the charity events: "Help Them Heal" and "United Artists for Tsunami Relief."

Britto donated his "Heart Glass-Beaded Handbag" to be included in the "Help Them Heal" gift baskets that were filled with lavish assortments of trinkets, treasures and travel certificates. The baskets of effeminacy items were then auctioned not on on Feb. 7-24, with all get forwards being designated for tsunami relief and given to Save the Children, a leading nonprofit humanitarian relief and unravelling organization.

Julie Kenney institutor of Jewels and Pinstripes, a San Francisco Bay Area-company specializing in creating sensuality gift bags for nationwide charity circumstances put "Help Them Heal" gift baskets into play. "In the course of my business, I am constantly reminded of by what mode many people are in need" says Kenney "But I was awestruck by dint of the destruction of the tsunami tragedy. I knew I had to find a certain number of way to help." Jewels and Pinstripes, along with US Weekly, joined forces and created an extravagant gift bag for the charity auction.