The "Art for Heart" Story

It was an ordinary day. Spending it at Schaeffer Elementary School on Pleasure Road in Manheim Township. I have a stand in the art show called "Art for Heart" which is sponsored by the Grandview United Methodist Church. The show benefits their Home Repair Ministry. This is the third year that I have participated in the show and it is the only show that I attend. It is held in my old neighborhood of Grandview Heights and I get to see all my old friends throughout the day as well as get to meet with all the artists, some who I have met through attending the show over the years. This year there are 38 artists displaying a vast array ofmedium from which to choose your gifts or personal artwork. I think most all the 2D fields such as watercolor, acrylics, and oils are on display as well as many of the 3D arts such as ceramics, paper cutting, knitting, broom-making and jewelry making. Some artists are fairly well known regionally and nationally as well as artists who belong to the church and display just for this show. Today I am selling my "Painting with Light" Polaroid prints which I also sell at towns along the Chesapeake Bay as well as in Stone Harbor, NJ and of course, Lancaster, PA. This year I am located across from my friend Dan Marschka who is a fine arts photographer and is the photography managing editor of the local newspaper. For years he would volunteer his time to speak to my photography classes about photo journalism. Great guy whose work is just as great. Right behind me is Cindy Grebinger whose husband, Keith, I work for part-time during the week at Grebinger's Gallery and Frame Shop. Started there after I retired from teaching. Keith was a student of mine in high school as well as my yearbook photographer. Cindy is selling her children's clothing that she knits and sews by hand. Any art that we sell helps to benefit what the church has designated. 60% of the sales goes to the artist and there is no fee to have a stand at the show. Not only that, they give free food and drink all day long to both the artists as well as the people who attend the show. For lunch we had creamy potato, pea, and ham soup as well as rolls and fruit. They know how to treat you right. May be the reason the show is growing year after year. I did very well this year, but after deducting the 40% and the artwork that I purchased from the other stands, I may have cleared $100. That's OK since I did get a few nice Christmas gifts to give this year. One of the pieces I bought, actually my wife agreed to it, is for me for Christmas. It is a watercolor on paper titled, "Feeding Frenzy." Painting of Koi gathered together at the edge of a pond, waiting for their food. Fantastic colors! Painted by artist Joyce Durkin who lives in the area and whose website is www.joycedurkin.com. My wife's purchase for me was: Winning finalist in the Fine Art Studio Online February 2010 competition; First place winner in watercolor in the 2010 Lititz Outdoor Art Show; Winner of the Philadelphia Watercolor society's top prize - Award for Excellence in Works on Paper; Featured in Watercolor Artist magazine in February 2011 issue; and Won "Best of Show" award at the Hanover, PA Area Guild 1st Annual Open Juried Exhibit! Going to display it above our fireplace in our family room. I'll be there next year again, so stop by and visit with me. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - pixs from the top are: my stand selling my Polaroid altered prints, Dan with his photography, Cindy with her children's clothes, and "Feeding Frenzy."