Art Auction Benefiting the Arts Community

By Julie Geiger
Rotary Club of Fleming Island

An evening of wine, appetizers, music, and beautiful artwork: a perfect combination for the senses.

The Concert on the Green committee, in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Fleming Island, is presenting a charity art auction entitled “Art for a Song” on Friday, March 26, at the Pace Island Club House. They would like to welcome anyone who would love to attend.

A preview of the art takes place at 6:00 p.m. with the auction starting at 7:00 p.m. Gallery-quality artwork will be provided by State of the Art, a national fund-raising company based in Cleveland, Tenn. The company has more than 10,000 pieces of art in the company’s Cleveland, Tenn., warehouse, running the gamut from watercolors and lithographs to etchings and photography- coming in all shapes and sizes as well. Roughly 250 pieces will be chosen and brought to the event. Some of them are reprints, some of them are original pieces from unknown artists and some of them are original pieces from world-renowned names such as Salvador Dali, Norman Rockwell, and Pablo Picasso.

“The art is stunning and there will be works for every taste and budget in the room”, states Jill Serin, with State of the Art. A Collectors Corner will be present for seasoned buyers & collectors, as well as an extensive affordable collection ranging from $50-$350. Landscapes, seascapes, golf art, children’s art, beach scenes, art for your professional office or something to fill that space over the fireplace will be available for your pleasure.

The Concert on the Green is using this fund raiser to help put on the Concert and award scholarships to many local art and music students who compete for them. For the 2009 season weather prohibited the Concert from occurring but the Rotary Club of Fleming Island was still able to give away over $9,000 in scholarships.

At 7:00 PM State of the Art’s auctioneer, Barry Cherwin, New York City Bid Calling Champion and Auctioneer of the Year, will invite guests to have a seat and will welcome everyone into the art world with a brief education explaining the auction process as well as stories and facts about the works and the artists that created them.

Attendees will learn why Thomas Kinkade hides the letter “N” in every piece he paints, the difference between a lithograph and a poster, and get an insight into the many golf stories behind the extensive golf collection in the room.

Mr. Cherwin is a true professional and will make everyone feel comfortable. Nobody scratches their nose and buys art they know nothing about. It is a casual and fun process and guests will have the opportunity to raise their catalogs in the air and walk away with a wonderful work of art. This is truly an “edge of your seat” experience that you will not want to miss!

State of the Art offers a layaway program, should guests find something they truly have to have. No finance or interest charges, you get to take your piece home that night and you have 6 months to pay for it.

State of the Art also offers a 15 year exchange program. Whatever you paid for your work of art, dollar for dollar goes toward something new, should you redecorate, move or just need a change.

Buy with an option to rent!

Cost for the event is $25 and can be purchased in advance or at the door. Getting your tickets in advance of March 15th enters you in a raffle to win a beautifully matted and framed work of art.

If you are a Patron of Concert on the Green receive 50% off your ticket and join us for $12.50 per ticket.

You can purchase your tickets by calling or emailing Angela Powers at (904) 708–1014 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

So, bring your friends and join us for a unique evening of culture and fun, sipping wine and enjoying the beauty and wonder of a collection of art you won’t see anywhere else.