By Joe Olenick<br><a href="mailto:joe.olenick@lockportjournal.com">E-mail Joe</a>
PENDLETON — Works of art will be auctioned off next week to help bring professional artists to the Starpoint district to work with students.
The Starpoint Art Auction & Evening of Entertainment will be returning to the high school’s fine arts corridor on the Mapleton Road campus from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 26. Now in its second year, the auction will once again benefit the Starpoint Visiting Artists Program, which brings artists to the school to meet with students. Superintendent C. Douglas Whelan said both the auction and the visiting artist program have had a positive impact on students.
“It has been a tremendous success,” he said.
The auction is presented by the Dale L. Askey Memorial Fund, set up in memory of Jim and Diane Askey’s son. The Askeys began the auction and visiting artists program, which was approved by the Starpoint school board, in March 2008. Diane Askey said about $2,500 was raised through last year’s event, which brought local artists Virginia Kelley and Sandra Bartz to Starpoint High School. Kelley worked with students using watercolor, while Bartz worked with the kids using oil as a medium.
“It went well for the first year,” Diane Askey said. “The kids got some hands-on experience. It was a success.”
Sponsored by West Herr Honda, the auction will feature more than 60 pieces of art from professional artists, teachers and Starpoint students. The works come in a variety of media, such as photography, paintings, jewelry and pottery. People will be able to bid in a silent auction for the works of art.
“I think every year it is going to grow. It is a great and fun event,” Whelan said.
Askey said there would also be a basket raffle, including a door prize of a foursome of golf at the Lockport Town and Country Club. Live entertainment will be provided by the jazz quintet My Cousin Tone and steel drum group Caribbean Extravaganza. Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served. Admission is free, but donations would be appreciated.
Whelan said when the Dale L. Askey Memorial Courtyard was built in the high school, it was done with the intention of using art programs for students. The auction and visiting artists could be something beneficial for everyone in Starpoint, he said.
“The school district is the focus of a community and this is one of the highlights,” he said.
Contact reporter Joe Olenick at 439-9222, ext. 6241.
