March 15, 2007 — St. Croix has an abundance of talented schoolchildren interested in art, and Gallows Bay Frame owner Betsy Campen wants them to get the supplies they need to pursue their artistic dreams.
This Saturday at the St. George Botanical Gardens, Campen has helped organize "It's About Time," an art show and sale featuring clocks designed and built by local artists and students in order to help raise money for children's art supplies.
Earlier this year, the frame shop purchased 100 clock mechanisms to build clocks with. The children were encouraged to use found objects to make the clocks, just as Campen had to do for projects when she was an art school student. Twenty schools will be represented, with each school submitting 10 pieces of student artwork.
In many ways, "It's About Time" picks up where Campen's 2006 Trash Bash fund-raiser — a major project with local artists painting barrels that were auctioned off and placed around the island as trashcans — left off.
Trash Bash successfully raised $2,400, giving 14 students $100 art supply gift certificates, while four students received $50 certificates, and four groups received $200 each.
After the scholarships were given out with the remaining money, Campen held a luncheon at Café Society in Christiansted for about 20 to 30 art teachers to get to know each other and see what more could be done for the students.
They decided to do another fund-raiser. Campen said, "They are all so willing to help; they're out in the trenches, and I'm the wingnut." The teachers all thought she was half crazy to take on another project.
The students receiving the awards for Saturday's show will be chosen by their art teachers. Once again they'll receive $100 gift certificates for art supplies.
A student or art class may be sponsored with a monetary donation. The St. Croix Foundation is the project's fiduciary, and donations may be made payable to it with the notation, "It's About Time" project.
Campen said recently, "We are also seeking funds to help defray the cost of the garden rental and promotions."
For more information or to make a donation, call Campen at Gallows Bay Frame, 719-2246.
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