Spring auctions raise money for schools while building community

By CAMDEN EASTERLING, Chronicle Staff Writer

It's spring and art is in the air for three local elementary schools.

Monforton, Longfellow and Hawthorne are preparing for their annual artwork auctions that serve the dual purpose of raising money to fund the schools' art programs throughout the year and bringing the community together for the fairs, participants and organizers said.

The events at the three schools combine silent and live auctions on individual and group-created art pieces ranging from pottery to handmade clocks. While the auctions are the draw for parents on the nights of the events, the students create artwork for the sales throughout the year.

The schools also cater to young auction attendees on those special nights by offering activities such as dancing or cookie decorating while adults tend to the more serious business of bidding.

"To me it seems grown-uppy," Hawthorne first grader Charis Omohundro said of the auction. She has a hard time understanding the auctioneer, she explained.

Nonetheless, she's excited about the festivities, she said.

Charis will place one of her pieces of art -- a kiln-fired clay "tooth fairy" decorated with paint and various embellishments -- in the auction.

The children enjoy the activities at the fairs, but they also "understand that this raises money for the school and this is their contribution," her mother, Pam Omohundro, said.

Still, letting go of their personal pieces is hard for some of the kids.

"I want to bring it home," Longfellow fourth grader Rylan Barton said of the watercolor and oil pastel painting that he's putting in the upcoming auction.

"Art's a very personal thing, so they do get attached," his teacher Debbie Nelson said.

Items made by individuals typically go in the schools' silent auctions and usually parents buy their children's works, teachers and organizers said.

However, parents are warned that items go to the highest bidder, regardless of whose child the artist is, Omohundro said.

"It's open bidding, it's open war," she joked.

Pieces that students collaborate on usually go into the live auctions. Artists in residence at the schools often help children create the works, such as larger ceramic bowls or even clay totem poles, for those bidding wars.

Those works are a bit easier to let go of, some students and teachers said. The kids work on them as a group, so they have less of a feeling of individual ownership over them.

"And that money goes for our school for art materials," Monforton sixth grader Austin Roos said.

The schools use the money to fund their art programs for the next academic year.

Some of the younger students said they know the auctions do something nice for somebody, which makes them feel good, they're just a little fuzzy on the details.

"The money that we get goes to, I don't know, I think it's called a charity," Hawthorne first grader Melissa Finegan said.

The annual art fairs also bring together children, parents, school staff and other area residents, Hawthorne first grade teacher Kristi Gaines said.

"It's just an amazing event because it's community," she said.

The public is welcome to attend the fairs and bid on any items. Some community members, such as one local dentist, who don't have children at the schools still attend the events and purchase pieces for display in their offices, thus keeping the art in the public realm, Nelson said.

Having their works displayed for others to see during the auction brings the art experience, from initial idea and creation to exhibition, full circle for students, Monforton art teacher Connie Lange said.

"The kids just burst with pride when you tell them they're being exhibited," she said. Showing their creations gives them "a great sense of accomplishment," she said.

And for some parents, that sense of accomplishment and pride is too valuable to lose to another bidder.

"Oh yeah, I want that tooth fairy," Omohundro said, laughing, when asked if she'll bid high if needed.

So bidders, bring your money and your appreciation for student art when attending the fairs.

Monforton School "Spring into Art Fair"

6001 Monforton School Rd.

May 10

6- 8 p.m.

The fair, which will have food available, kicks off at 6 p.m, although the silent auction opens at 4:30 p.m. The silent auction closes at 7 p.m. The live auction starts at 7:10 p.m. Additional activities for children include origami, cookie decorating and pastel drawings.

Some auction items will be on display at Chaparral Fine Art gallery on Bozeman's Main Street in the days leading up to the fair.For more information, call 586-1557.

Hawthorne School "Celebration of the Arts"

114 N. Rouse Ave.

May 18

5-8:30 p.m.

The event includes refreshments and musical and dance performances by students. The live auction begins at 6:30 p.m. The silent auction begins May 14, so patrons can go to the school to put in bids throughout the days leading up to the event. That auction closes at the end of the live auction.

Call 522-6700 for more information.

Longfellow School "ArtWorks Festival"

516 S. Tracy Ave.

May 18

Begins at 5 p.m.

The festivities start at 5 p.m. with a pizza dinner. Activities, ranging from belly dancing and drumming to hair and makeup opportunities, start at 5:30 p.m. Bidding for the silent auction opens May 7 for people to come to the school and make offers at their leisure. The auction closes at 6:50 p.m. May 18. The live auction begins at 7 p.m.

For more information, call 522-6150.

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