The 150 pieces of art for sale at the “100 Days, 100 Artists, 100% for Haiti” fundraiser ranged from the cool blues of a boat scene in “Tranquility” by Virginia Anderson to the vibrant hot colors of “Carnival” by Candice Greathouse.
“I was surprised at the number of pieces and the variety of works,” Sissel Holloway said as she viewed art and mingled with friends. “I really like the island-themed pieces.”
The opening reception Friday evening at Walsh Metal Works Gallery in Peter’s Rest drew a crowd of more than 200 people.
Philippa Forward, one of the organizers, said she was happy with the opening crowd, each of whom paid a suggested donation of $10 each as an entrance fee.
“I was really pleased to see a lot of young people and new faces at the sale,” Forward said.
Organizers said 40 percent of the original pieces of art were sold at the opening reception. The prices on the art works, including jewelry, pottery, oils, acrylics, watercolors, tables, and sculptures, ranged from $40 to $2,500.
In the large variety of pieces there had to be something to suit anyones’ taste.
Isabelle Picard donated a wood headboard, done in acrylics of aqua with colorful whimsical fish. Danica David gave an acrylic painting of a mother and child with an actual madras cloth headwrap. There was a turquoise-colored, hand-blown recycled glass pelican paperweight from Maho Glass at Maho Bay. A photograph of a green sea turtle was given by Jenny Keith. And as with all art sales on St. Croix there was a mocko jumbie in acrylics. This one was done by Helen Green.
One hundred percent of the money raised will be shared among Haiti Community Support of St. Croix, founded by Bruce and Mathilde Wilson, for their clinic work in Port-au-Prince; International Child Care for their latrine and sanitation programs; and micro banking organization Fonkose, which supports and trains destitute women to become small business owners.
Andre McBean, a woodworker and native Haitian who has lived on St. Croix since 1966, said the people of St. Croix have been very generous to the cause.
“It has been a godsend what the local community has done for Haitians,” McBean said.
The St Croix Foundation is acting as the fiduciary on behalf of 100% for Haiti. For more information and to view art for purchase go to 100percent4haiti.org and the 100% for Haiti FaceBook page. The sale continues Monday to Saturday from 10 a. m. to 4 p.m.
