FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Artwork Contributions Solicited for Wade Steffey Reward Fund Silent Auction
Bloomington, IN - February 19, 2007 - Local artists are organizing an art auction to benefit the Wade Steffey Reward Fund. Wade Steffey is the Bloomington 19-year old who's been missing from Purdue University since January 13. His parents, Dawn Adams and Dale Steffey, are two longtime Bloomington artists. They are active members of the local art community, and are on the organizing committee of the Fourth Street Arts Festival.
Donations from local and regional artists are needed for a silent art auction that will take place at the John Waldron Arts Center from March 26-30, 2007, with an opening reception from 5:30-7 p.m. on Monday March 26. Donations may include paintings, photographs, ceramics, jewelry, fiber arts, and other original artwork. Contact Martina Celerin at 812-219-0647 or martina@martinacelerin.com if you would like to donate. Artwork should be delivered to the John Waldron Arts Center on Saturday March 24 between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
The auction is being hosted in partnership with the Bloomington Area Arts Council. Executive Director Miah Michaelsen said the arts council welcomes the opportunity to support this effort: "It's such a testament to the giving spirit of the arts community how people have come together for Dale and Dawn. We wanted to support that the best way we could - by donating our space and staff time, and we encourage others to participate as well."
A partial list of artists whose work will be available at the auction includes Michael Bell, Martina Celerin, David Goodrum, Bonnie Gordon-Lucas, Scott Halpin, Sarah Hatch, Barb Lund, Terry Taylor-Norbu, Cappi Phillips, Reza Pishigahi, Sandy Taylor and Tim Terry.
Bloomington artist Cappi Phillips, who will be donating to the auction, encourages other artists to donate. "As artists, we are often asked to donate work for numerous fundraisers, and sometimes the requests are overwhelming. However, I cannot think of a worthier cause than the Wade Steffey auction. Dawn and Dale have contributed so much to this community in the form of their art. Let's give back the best way we know and support their family by donating a special piece for Wade. Create great art from your heart!" Fellow artist Sandy Taylor agrees, "By participating in the art auction for the Wade Steffey Reward Fund, I feel that I can at least take some action that might help in a concrete way, after having them on my mind for weeks now. I feel that whoever might buy the donated pieces would be joining us in that process of expressing care and concern to the family, as both creator and purchaser would be responding from the heart."
All proceeds from the silent art auction will go to the Wade Steffey Reward Fund. The reward fund will be used to help solicit information about Wade's disappearance. Police and volunteers continue to search the Purdue campus and surrounding area for clues, but so far with little success.
For more information about Wade Steffey, go online to http://www.wadesteffey.net
Contact Information:
Martina Celerin
Vice President
Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts
(812) 219-0647
martina@martinacelerin.com
Miah Michaelsen
Executive Director of the Bloomington Area Arts Council
John Waldron Arts Center
122 S. Walnut Street
Bloomington, IN 47404-6107
(812) 334-3100
info@artlives.org