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artscapade 2007
art to support children with heart disease
by donald dusinberre    imartsyfartsy@gmail.com

WHEN: Thursday October 25th, 6:30 – 10:30 pm
WHERE: Jane Gray Gallery, 643 Edison Avenue

      Art can sometimes seem self-involved and decadent (and it very often is), but sometimes it can be used to bring about great change and awareness to something other than itself. In my opinion, art does its job best when it is calling for awareness or inciting change. Even if the sale of art brings about a change, then it has done more to justify its existence than matching with your furniture.
      Three years ago, Jose and Hilda Ettedgui began Patrons of the Hearts, a foundation dedicated to helping children from less developed countries receive adequate healthcare for congenital heart problems. Although these problems occur no more frequently in poorer countries than the United States, stricken children wouldn’t survive at all with the level of healthcare available in those countries.
      Finding them in places like Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Morocco, Ecuador, Granada, China, and Uganda, Patrons of the Hearts arrange for children to travel to the United States to receive medical and surgical care donated by UF doctors in conjunction with Baptist Healthcare and Wolfson Children’s Hospital. The doctors donate their time and waive fees, while Baptist/Wolfson donates their facilities, equipment and time. Each year, Patrons of the Hearts raises money for these children by hosting an art show and auctioning off artwork. It’s a great program because what normally costs about $45,000 can be accomplished for about $5,000 dollars through fundraising efforts and the donation of time and facilities by their healthcare partners.
      Taking place at the Jane Gray Gallery on Thursday, October 25th, Artscapade 2007 will feature a live auction to help the foundation reach their goal of $500,000 dollars. In the 3rd annual installment, a host of Jacksonville artists will offer up their work, hoping to help at least 5 children this year. So far, they’ve raised $125,000 and helped 12 children since the beginning of the program.
      As far as the art is concerned, there will be some impressive pieces up for auction. I got a chance to see them the other day before they were even put on the walls, and there are even two sculptures in the auction. Jacksonville doesn’t see much stone sculpture, so it will be interesting to see how well received they will be. In addition to the artwork provided by local artists, there will be a few pieces from Granada- donations in appreciation for the foundation’s help in that country.
      Sometimes benefit art events can be lackluster in their content. I’m not sure why, but judging from what I saw, Artscapade 2007 is sure to make everyone proud.

Here’s a list of the artists whose work will be up for sale at the auction:
Molly Mabe
Cynthia Walburn
Thomas Hager
Thomas Glover
Carol Mehrtens
Shaun Meharg
Rosamond Parrish
Paul Braun
Dean Kellog
Marianne Lerbs
Joanelle Mulrain


      The Jane Gray Gallery is located at 643 Edison Avenue near the Riverside neighborhood. It’s next to the Blue Cross Blue Shield complex on Riverside Avenue. To learn more about Patrons of the Hearts, visit patronsofthehearts.com.

Entertaining U Newspaper, eujacksonville.com. Published by N2U Publishing, Inc. 3101 University Blvd., South #201 Jacksonville, FL 32216. Copyright N2U Publishing, Inc. 2006. Reproduction of any artwork or copy prepared by N2U Publishing, Inc. is strictly prohibited without written consent of the publisher. We will not be responsible for errors and/or omissions, the Publisher's liability for error will not exceed the cost of space occupied by the error. Articles for publication are welcome and may be sent to the following address: 3101 University Blvd., South #201 Jacksonville, FL 32216. We cannot assume responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. For information concerning classified advertising phone 904-730-3003.