Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Planning is underway for the 12 X 12 Scholarship Fundraiser hosted by the Friends of the Visual Arts at Stephen F. Austin State University and benefiting students in the SFA School of Art, and event sponsorship opportunities are still available.
Mark your calendars now for Oct. 8 through 22 to make sure you have time to participate in silent bidding, and plan now to attend the art party and art auction on Saturday, Oct. 22, at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.
The silent auction features 12-by-12-inch pieces of art created by artists from Nacogdoches, Lufkin and other areas of East Texas, as well as artists from other states.
In addition to the Friends of the Visual Arts, other sponsors are The Flower Shop, The Cottage Wine Bar and the Woodworkers Club of East Texas. But there is still time to get on board as a sponsor for this important fundraiser, according to Linda Mock, this year’s event committee chair. The purpose of 12 X 12 is to raise funds for the FVA scholarships and grants that are awarded to SFA art students. Between $12,000 and $15,000 is awarded annually in scholarships to deserving students in the School of Art.
“We are still accepting new sponsors for this year’s event,” Mock said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for local businesses or individuals to show their support of aspiring art students at SFA in a meaningful and tangible way.”
The awards help students defray the costs of special projects for art classes or M.B.A./B.A. exhibitions. Some recipients have attended conferences or gone on school trips that will help with their professional development. This has included Maymester trips for art students to photograph areas of Big Bend in West Texas as well as study abroad trips to Italy. The organization also awards scholarships for elementary school students to attend the SFA Art Academy.
Anyone may silently bid on the unique one-of-a-kind pieces. Silent bidding ($250 minimum) begins Saturday, Oct. 8, at The Cole Art Center and will continue up to the day of the art party, which is planned for 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 22 at the art center. Starting bids drop to $100 the night of the event, and raffle tickets will also be sold that night. Appetizers and wine will be served at the auction party, “so expect to have a fun evening while supporting the arts,” Mock said. This year’s featured artist is Professor Peter Andrew, who has donated several pieces to the auction.
The Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main St. For more information about 12 X 12 or to become a sponsor, contact Mock at mockl@sfasu.edu.