Should Artists Give Work to Charity Auctions?

Here is the painting I am donating. cold wax and oil, 17"  x 24", framed in a simple black wood frame, ready to hang

close up detail

 My answer for the last few years has been a resounding NO! Why?

1. It is not good exposure for you, no matter what the charity promoter says. I would love to hear the story of the artist whose career rocketed to success because he or she donated a work to a charity auction and this act alone tipped the first domino toward an avalanche of success coming his or her way. n. 

2.  You announce that your art is worth low bids

3. Your work could become devaluated because the collector got such a bargain on your art. If you are a regular contributor to charity sales, your collectors may forgo paying your retail price and just wait for the next auction.

4.  You empower strangers to devalue your artwork

That said, I want you to donate some work so medical care will be available to a community that for years felt forgotten by local society. Open up your hearts and let go ( for just a moment) from those wonderful ego enhancing art sales that you have  or hope to have. I am all for art sales! It is my income, but there comes a time when you see others needs and want to be part of a better future for them.

11 years ago when Elsmarie Norby, the founder of Ojala Niños, build her home in the indigenous village of San Miguel Viejo, there were no services like internet, cable, landline phones, bus transport or community center, but the main thing the villagers told her was, "We need a clinic."

Now the plans are in motion and you can help by contributing a piece of your art or buying art from this auction. All the profits go to the building fund. It will be part of the community center. Children and families will finally have access to medical care, health information and all the support that comes with a nearby functioning clinic. Ojala Niños will build the clinic as part of the new community center.

Art and crafts will be donated by well known artists and others who just want to help build the clinic.

Daniel Brennan, "Leo and Friends" oil on canvas 40" x 50"

article from Southwest Magazine, 1980

Ojalá Niños is a non-profit year round program that gives 100 + indigenous children in this rural community, in the state of Guanajuato, México. the opportunity to explore their strengths through art, music and literacy. All classes are free of charge. Ojala Niños is a daily year round free education program for all the children the rural community of San Miguel Viejo, near the historic city of San Miguel de Allende. They emphasize the importance of social service to develop critical  thinking skills, self-confidence and sustainable work ethics. 

Ojala Niños helps local women learn the cooperative business model and develop hand-made products for sale.

This is changing lives. And they need our help.

Send me your images of work that you want to contribute, sizes, retail price (You won’t get it) and a short bio) ezshwan4art@gmail.com

I will begin posting the work on a Face book event page. The online auction will start inconjunction with a very popular concert in the village. Date is July 29th at 2pm. The bidding will continue until July 30th at 5pm.

If you are not an artist, bid on the art and special crafts. Local residents will have their purchases delivered and international shipping is available for those living outside of San Miguel de Allende. see what Ojalå Niños are doing and contribute@

/http://ojala-ninos.org/,