Artists’ donations help empower children, mentors

May Day is fast approaching – a day to celebrate renewal and bright colors.

This year, May Day falls on First Friday, when area galleries and businesses that support creative endeavors open their doors after hours for festive gatherings in appreciation of artists and visitors. While many of the venues are located in the downtown area, there are a few off the beaten path, including Empowering, Inc., at 124 E. Augusta Ave.

Empowering, Inc., is not a gallery but a nonprofit organization whose mission is to “promote, protect and preserve the inherent rights of children to learn through self-directed play and rich experiential games and activities. Empowering, Inc., reaches out to educate community members to be kind, gentle and safe facilitators who mentor our future leaders: children.” The organization incorporates art into many of its activities and games include the use of hula hoops and rubber chickens.

Artist and AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer Jamie Winterhawke worked in the Empowering, Inc., library and thought an art event would serve well as a fundraiser. She put out an online call for artists and sent fliers to university art departments. “We got a tremendous response,” she said. Winterhawke, along with Heather Fitzgerald, the nonprofit coordinator for the organization, planned the event.

More than a dozen artists with a range of styles will be showing two or three pieces of their work. The artists will be donating from 40 percent to 100 percent of the proceeds to Empowering, Inc. Participating artists include Tom Quinn, Roger Thrush, Linda Sandberg, Katie Frey, Scott Martinez, Nora Egger and James Mulvania.

Seasoned artist Dara Allison Harvey will be displaying her oil paintings “Collage of Whimsy” and “Atomization of Matter.” Both are portraits with added strange and endearing elements. “I’ve discounted the prices from their original listing and I’m going to donate 100 percent of the proceeds,” she said, “I am participating in this show because I think it’s a good cause. It’s also a good opportunity to show my work and get the community involved in art and letting people know that art is accessible.”

Many of the participating artists share Harvey’s sentiments.

“When I read the mission statement, I knew that they were in alignment with my beliefs and values and I wanted to help and promote my art as well,” said Doug Cristafir, who will be displaying his fantastic worlds and landscapes “Equinox,” “Heaven’s Gate” and “The Dreamer.”

Norm LeBret, a pilot and geologist, has been painting for about 10 years although he has never shown his work before. “My wife submitted my pieces and they were accepted,” he said. He is excited about the opportunity and finds the venue appealing because “art and social consciousness are interwoven human responses.” LeBret produces abstract forms by applying oil to waterproof paper called Toughprint.

The free event coincides with Empowering, Inc.’s 10th anniversary and will include door prizes, a silent auction, catered food, live music by Back Adit and a step team performance by Rogers High School students.

April Cathcart, founder, director and program manager of Empowering, Inc., is excited about the event. “During times of difficulty like this, we teach hurting families to access the support of their community. Now it’s time for us to reach out in celebration of our anniversary and the possibilities of spring. Come dance, eat, and feast your eyes on local art as you participate in your community, connecting now to make a difference in the world,” she said.