Investing in the local arts

Sure, you may go home with an objet d’art. But what is the real objet d’auction?

For the four island organizations supported by next weekend’s Auction for the Arts, funds raised by the annual gala go back into the community in little ways of not so little import. Marilyn Turkovich, past president of the Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council, says her group uses its auction proceeds to help artists raise their profile in the community. Among other applications, the money goes to the Arts Education Consortium to bring artists into local schools; to the BIAHC newsletter; and to humanities-related endeavors like the Great Decisions discussion series. “That money helps in a multitude of ways to help get word out about community events and arts events, and also to help sponsor a lot of those events,” Turkovich says.

Bainbridge Arts and Crafts Executive Director Susan Jackson says that among all of the gallery’s year-long development efforts, Auction for the Arts has typically offered “the biggest bang for the buck.” Each year, BAC uses its share of the proceeds to fund three youth shows: the February “Mixed Nuts” show and two student art shows in the spring. The money also affords the gallery the flexibility to take risks that it might not otherwise take on artists whose work is “wonderful” but might not be well received commercially. “The auction gives us the courage to go ahead and do some things that are necessary for the community, (whereas) without that money, we might go a safer route,” Jackson says.

For Jackson, the auction isn’t just about the cash, but about connections. When she first joined BAC, the auction opened the doors to collaboration and community partnerships and “introduced me to all sorts of possibilities and people.”

The other two beneficiaries – Bainbridge Performing Arts, and the Bainbridge Chorale – likewise count on the event for their programming and promotions. We hope as the Auction for the Arts grows into its new location in the town square, islanders will grow into the auction.

Sorry we’re late

If you can read this, it means the newspaper made it into your hands.

That’s the good news. The bad news is, it may well have been delivered late – and probably will be for the next few weeks. Bainbridge Island Review Publisher Chris Allen Hoch is asking subscribers for their patience and courtesy as we dig ourselves out from under press backups at our Day Road printing facility.

Briefly: As Sound Publishing expands into the King County market, we’ve closed one press facility and are opening another, larger press on that side of the water. Until it’s up and running – in mid-September, they tell us – our Day Road press is spinning out more printing jobs than its usual load. The Review has to queue up with the rest of the publications, and its run has been of late, er, late.

Didn’t get your paper? Leave a message – preferably, a courteous one – with the circulation department, 842-6613. We’ll get one into your box. If you’re calling to say we’re late…well, we know that. And we thank you for your patience.