Contributed by Gina Murrow, Pastel Society of Alaska
An online art auction by the Pastel Society Alaska (PSAK) in May 2021 will raise funds for a special needs orphanage, half a world away in Panama.
The newly-formed pastel society started this project last year after the group took a workshop with world-renowned Australian pastelist, Lyn Diefenbach. Inspired and motivated by the class, the group wanted to use their talents for more than just art sales; they wanted to help someone with their art.
The artists worked for over a year creating anywhere from one to five paintings each for the auction. The paintings are on display online at www.alaskapastel.com. Bidding on the paintings will begin on the website May 17th and run through May 31st. The goal is to raise $25,000 to donate to Heart’s Cry Children’s Ministries in Panama.
One of PSAK’s founding members, Ruthann Crosby, is friends with the founders of Heart’s Cry, Matt Hedspeth. Crosby knew the story of the orphanage and also how hard the COVID-19 pandemic was affecting them. It didn’t take long for the idea of an online art auction to take form.
The subjects of the paintings vary from portraits of indigenous people of Panama and Panamanian landscapes, to birds, butterflies and iguanas. Imagine buying a gorgeous painting of a hummingbird and knowing it provides meals to orphans for a month. A butterfly painting fills bowls with beans and rice, an iguana painting can help handicapped orphans get the tools they need to thrive, and on it goes.
Packs of five greeting cards will be offered for a $25 donation. It’s a great option for people wanting to help, but without the budget for an original painting. The greeting cards feature five of the 40 donated paintings, in 5x7-inch form, ready to mail or frame. The five cards in each pack will be selected at random, grab-bag style.
For the past year, PSAK painters have been guided by continuing Zoom classes from Diefenbach. The group painted scenes from Panama based on pictures by photographer Kenneth R. Meyers (www.panamaphotos.com). Meyers has also visited the Heart’s Cry Ministries Orphanage and was excited to help raise funds for the children.
According to the www.Heartscrychildren.com website, the special needs orphanage was birthed from an life-changing trip to Panama in 2008 by Hedspeth and his wife, Misty. They were so moved by what they experienced, they decided to move their family to Panama to help.
One PSAK member wanted to be involved because she was inspired by her parents and grandparents, who frequently took in displaced families and orphaned or fostered children.
“I consider it an honor to be a part of a group of kind and talented artists who desire to improve their creative skills and use their art for a greater good that helps meet a need,” Carol Roper said, “I hope this auction is not just a one-time event but rather the Pastel Society Alaska can reach out and assist others within our own Alaskan communities, as well as those in other locations like Heart’s Cry Orphanage in Panama.”
Using their artistic talents to help the world was a big motivator for these painters.
“To use my God-given talent to make the world a better place is what drew me in,” said Cathy Poppert.
The group plans to do a similar auction every year. “Our goal is to help an organization in need every year,” Crosby said.
At the rate they are going, the group looks like they will meet their goals.