Arts Foundation of Cape Cod to Hold Silent and Live Art Auctions to Support Local Artists and Cultural Organizations

July 14, 2020 (Hyannis, MA) –  At a time when the region’s art scene has been devastated by the pandemic, the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod (AFCC) is stepping up to raise critical funds for the creative economy through a Silent Art Auction and a Live Art Auction, both of which will be held virtually over the next few weeks. 

“Proceeds from these events will ensure our local artists and cultural organizations have the resources and support they need to rebound from the past few months,” AFCC Executive Director Julie Wake said. “These auctions are a great opportunity for the public to not only take home one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect the creative talent that abounds in our region, but to give back to artists who have lost income and museums, theaters, and art venues that have had to temporarily shut their doors and lay off or furlough employees out of necessity.” 

Lot 36, Jim Holland, Late Afternoon Shadows, Oil on canvas, 2018

The public can sign up for the silent and live auctions at www.artsfoundation.org or by contacting AFCC Director of Development Amy Tuttle at atuttle@artsfoundation.org. 

The AFCC’s Silent Art Auction will kick off on Thursday, July 23rd and run through Sunday, August 9th. Roughly 30 pieces, all created by Cape Cod artists, will be up for auction. Funds raised will go to the individual artists as well as the AFCC, which supports, promotes, and celebrates arts and culture on Cape Cod through its annual grant giving, fellowships, scholarships, and AFCC Access Program, which connects economically-disadvantaged students to cultural enrichment opportunities they otherwise would not have. 

AFCC Board Member Carl Lopes of Barnstable, Traci Harmon-Hay of Wellfleet, Joe Diggs of Osterville, and Pete Hocking of Provincetown are among the artists who will have pieces available in the silent auction. 

The Live Art Auction will be streamed from the Chatham Bars Inn on Thursday, August 6th at 6pm. Melyora de Koning of the auction house Phillips will serve as the auctioneer. 

Lot 6, Cynthia Packard, A Symphony, Oil on wood, 2020

The live auction will feature this year’s commemorative Pops by the Sea painting, “A Symphony,” created by Provincetown artist Cynthia Packard. “I really enjoyed this journey,” Packard said of painting the piece, which is an explosion of light and dark colors, depicting the moon and the sun as metaphor for an orchestra playing music.

Several past Pops artists will have pieces up for auction, including Joyce Utting Schutter (2019) of Sandwich, Jim Holland (2018) of Brewster, Jackie Reeves (2017) of Sandwich, and Cleber Stecei (2016) of Mashpee. 

Dianna Braginton-Smith of Yarmouth Port has submitted a piece, “Pops by the Sea,” in honor of her older sister, Heather, who painted the artwork for the 4th Annual Pops by the Sea in 1989. Heather died in an automobile accident on Route 6 in March 1997 at the age of 37. 

Dianna took an unfinished oil painting her sister had started and completed it, incorporating elements of Heather’s commemorative piece for the 1989 Pops. “I hope whoever gets this can feel the love and the gratitude I had for being able to paint with my sister again,” Dianna said. “Heather loved creating art more than anything. To have her be a part of this with other past Pops artists and giving her a place on that roster is an honor. I don’t have words for it.” 

Sponsors for the art auctions are the Keller Company of Hyannis and RESCOM Architectural of Bourne. Businesses interested in serving as a sponsor should contact Amy Tuttle at atuttle@artsfoundation.org. 

Donations to the AFCC can be made at www.artsfoundation.org.

The auctions will serve as a precursor for this year’s 35th Annual Citizens Bank Pops by the Sea which is taking place virtually on the AFCC’s website on Sunday, August 9th at 6 pm. 

Online bidding available via Bidsquare.