Local Artists the key to HAYWARD ROTARY ART AUCTION success (more)

In a switch from featuring the commercially available art that was previously promoted, Hayward Rotarians instead found an enthusiastic & willing community of local artists from several area Arts Groups including Hayward Arts Council, Sun Gallery, Cinema Place Gallery, Castro Valley Art, ART Inc., Hayward Area Recreation District's various art and photo groups as well as individual artists.  Over 100 attendees enjoyed food prepared and served by our lunch caterer Robert & Marie Pimental of The Party Makers and beverages served by Hayward Rotarians, while actively bidding on works of art through both live and silent auctions.   Moreau Catholic High School's Frank Ivaldi Student Center was the perfect venue for tinauguralural event.

Hayward Rotarians Beth Ehrlich-Smith and Ken Smith worked tirelessly to coordinate the many details that went into making this event happen after the Commercial Art Auction Company that was contraccanceledlled with less than 2 weeks notice.  Thanks to the efforts of  their friends and families as well as other Hayward Rotarians and the professional help of Caroline Sandoval, the event netted over $4,000 for the Foundation to be used to help fund the Hayward Rotary Community Grants.

Many of the artists  donated their pieces to be sold while others were willing to give a generous portion of the sales price as a donation to the Hayward Rotary Foundation as it is a 501 (c) (3) Charitable Organization.   Three pieces of artwork which were created by children who are residents of the Emergency Shelter Program (ESP) sold for nearly $300 in total, and the entire amount was donated directly back to ESP.  We understand that there was additional "sales activity" of one of these pieces painted by a 6 year old girl that went on between collectors in the parking lot later that evening with a request being made to the staff at the Emergency Shelter to obtain more art from these children in the future.

The Hayward Rotary Foundation is grateful for all the support from the artists, the attendees and the volunteers for their part in making this event a success. Plans are already underway to hold a Second Annual Art Auction which will feature even more local artists as well as works by local High School students.  Our area's art world will be brought up a few more notch next year and you won't want to miss it!