Leslie Bailey (from left), Katherine Kernan, and Jennifer Potter Hayes
Artist participation in View’s annual Plein Air Paint Out continues to grow with over 40 talented painters setting up their easels at various scenic locations from McKeever to Inlet on Friday and Saturday, August 31 and September 1 to join in the fourth annual event.
The 72 finished works of the artists were featured at a preview event and cocktail party on Saturday night, prior to auction of the work the following night. The event was attended by 170 prospective bidders.
The Sunday auction was conducted by June DeLair, who intermittently engaged the audience of 185 in a participatory game of Heads and Tails where they were eligible to win prizes.
Robert Fountain
The big prize in the game, a sponsor level View membership and a custom painting by award-winning artist Gordon Bashant, was won by View curator Linda Weal.
Though Weal, who was also on the Paint Out committee, was thrilled with her prize, she said the biggest winner of the night was View itself.
During the auction, Weal said, the auctioneer asked her to give a brief talk—just about a minute—on the value and importance of supporting View.
Following her words, DeLair appealed the audience to Fund a Need, without reward.
Lucille Martinelli
“June started with a $500 bid, and one after another, paddles were raised. It was astounding that paddles continued to go up when she descended from the $250, to $100, to $50 levels. It was pretty touching. I teared up a little over all the support in the room,” Weal said.
Another notable highlight came at the end of the auction when there was a bidding war for a painting by nationally renowned artist Catherine O’Neill.
The painting of a waterfront scene and dock on Fourth Lake was won with a $2,100 bid.
Weal said the event was an incredible success, with 100% of the auction proceeds supporting View, and that much of the credit should go to Terry Rozycki, who chaired the Paint Out Committee.
Jody Pritchard
