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#ARTA first-ever fundraiser will support an island nonprofit focusing on adults with special needs.
Trailways Camps kicked off its Artistic Abilities Art Auction on March 1 online and in person at The Community House on Sanibel, with online and in-person bidding to remain open through March 31.
Sharon Miller, who founded Trailways Camps with her husband, Jerry, explained that the camp sessions have always involved art activities. Recently, their camp director asked campers if they were creating any artwork during their own time and discovered many of them were and got to see it.
“She noticed that some of it was really expressive and beautiful,” Miller said.
They saw the need to further develop the art opportunities available during the camp sessions and brought in an artist to instruct classes. The campers then started talking about selling their pieces. With permission from the campers’ guardians, Trailways Camps offered to buy any art for a fundraiser.
The auction features about 30 framed pieces, some wood-carved walking sticks and more.
“It’s a variety,” Miller said. “There’s watercolors, there’s sprinkle art, there’s sketches.”
The items are on display at The Community House for viewing.
“They’ve all been framed properly,” she said.
Miller noted that the pieces feature little stories about the artists.
In addition to the campers’ artwork, Trailways Camps’ will have its “Not Forgotten Faces” on display at The Community House. The exhibit was created by camp volunteer and photographer George Waters.
“He did a series of black and white photographs of our campers,” she said.
There will also be information related to adults with special needs and on the nonprofit’s history.
The proceeds from the auction will enable more campers to experience Trailways Camps.
“This will help more campers be able to come, and they’ll be going toward scholarships for campers to come,” Miller said.
The presenting sponsor is the Pagel Foundation.
“Their sponsorship covered our cost for the purchases,” she said.
The public is invited to view the work and place their bids.
“Sanibel is an art community — and art is appreciated,” Miller said. “This introduces to a well-established community who these adult campers are, and it brings them into this wonderful history of Sanibel as an artistic community.”
To view or bid on the items, visit https://www.trailwayscamps.org/artistic-creations/.
For more information, visit online or contact rv.bg.millerlegacy@gmail.com or 512-784-3879.
People can also stop by the Trailways Camp office at 1177 Causeway Road, Sanibel.
The Community House is at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
