For the eighth straight year, Andrea’s Art Auction and Sale will link local and student artists with the community, both in memory of one young artist and in support of current students pursuing a career in the arts.
Organized in memory of West Genesee student Andrea Morelli, the Friday May 29 event will feature around 70 pieces of artwork by local high school students and staff in a live auction, along with a silent auction of around 25 pieces of local and professional artists’ work.
Funding the future
Two high school seniors pursuing an art-related field will also be awarded scholarships during the event, a part of the evening Morelli’s mother, Laura Smelski, is particularly proud of.
“I’m just trying to give back to the community,” Smelski said.
The first year, the organization was able to donate about $500 to one West Genesee senior. In only eight years, the scholarships have doubled – a senior at WG and Henninger will each receive an award – and the amount has increased to around $1,000 for each scholarship.
To apply for an award, students must submit an original artwork for critique and write an essay prior to the auction. Their artwork is critiqued by three judges and is also up for bid during the live auction.
Both Smelski and West Genesee art teacher Gail Glagola said the critique process is high-caliber; each student’s submission is reviewed by three judges who in the past have included art teachers, art historians and professional artists.
Glagola called the auction and scholarship a “little-known, very fantastic opportunity” for students, both in presenting their work publicly and to help fund their education.
“The judging is as good as any other competition, it’s very carefully constructed,” Glagola added.
There has been such growing interest in the annual event that it now includes tables of jewelry and local arts and crafts for sale, in addition to the live and silent auctions.
“You don’t want to turn pieces down, so we try to be creative on how to sell the ‘overages,'” Smelski said. “It’s been a learning process every year. It’s kind of bittersweet, but we’re glad to do it.”
Show time
A preview hour from 6 to 7 p.m. lets bidders select their favorites; the live auction by Tommy Kehoskie begins at 7 p.m. featuring student and teacher work.
The event is family-friendly, and as such will provide a kid’s art center. Goods donated by local businesses will be raffled off and the this year’s two senior scholarship winners will be announced during the auction. There is no admission fee, (donations are accepted), and no obligation to buy.
Smelski suggests potential bidders be creative when perusing the art during the preview hour: pieces make great gifts and purchasing a piece will help support local scholarships and give back to the community.
A portion of the proceeds will go toward next year’s scholarships and to Golisano Children’s Hospital at Upstate Medical University.
About Andrea
The 8th Annual Andrea’s Art Auction and Sale will remember Andrew Morelli, who lost her battle with squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer, in October 2001 during her senior year at West Genesee High School. She was passionate about art through high school, and planned to pursue a career in interior design, said her mother Laura Smelski.
Smelski organized the first auction the spring following Andrea’s passing to he
Glagola first met Andrea at Warners Middle School when she was teaching part time. That was the year Andrea created a self-portrait mosaic that Glagola still has in her classroom today at West Genesee High School.
Glagola became Andrea’s tutor after her illness kept her out of school.
She called her energetic and determined.
“She was a student that had an idea in her mind first – which is fantastic for interior design,” Glagola said. The parental support of “super mom” Smelski is becoming more and more prevalent, Glagola said, and the auction is evidence to that.
“Parents get a whole new appreciation … to get bid against for their own children’s artwork.”
{Q}Details
What: Andrea’s Art Auction and SaleWhen: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday May 29Where: Camillus Senior Center, First Street, CamillusCost: Free admission, donation acceptedFeaturing a live and silent auction, student and professional artwork, raffle, refreshments, kid’s art center. Scholarship awarded to two local seniors.For more information, visit aartfund.com.{Q}
