Another charity auction question

Holly Snyder · 01-14-2005, 08:50 AM

Hi,

I'm going to donate a certificate towards a portrait for an upcoming local private school auction. It looked as if initially I might be able to display several paintings, as well as even demo, but that's been narrowed to displaying one painting on an easel along with postcards/business cards. It seems now that they want to set up my painting (rather than myself), and if I want to attend I need to pay the admission fee. I'm just wondering for others who have donated portraits to charity auctions, are you normally given a free entry ticket? I would imagine it would be beneficial to be there, so I can answer questions that come up when people see the painting and pick up postcards.

Holly

Mike McCarty · 01-14-2005, 10:13 AM

Holly,

What you described is exactly how it worked at my daughter's school auction. They wanted to control everything and are very stingy about giving out the tickets. I did attend both the ones I participated in but I found that the way they had set things up I had very little opportunity to associate myself with the sample that was displayed on the easel.

I had one of the richest families in town with five kids buy my first portrait. I was not, after several phone calls, able to ever do the work. I think it could have just as easily gone the other way with some other family. It's a bit of a crap shoot I think. It's got to be better than doing nothing I guess.

Holly Snyder · 01-14-2005, 11:43 AM

Mike,

Your experience doesn't bode well, hmmm...

Stanka Kordic · 01-14-2005, 05:20 PM

Hi Holly,

That's my message. See it as an opportunity to be with people who may want to hear more, and ideally bid. I found its best not to get my hopes up too much. At the same time, it was the way business started for me, in addition to the website.

I have always received tickets to the events. I'm surprised they didn't offer you that. However, you can write that part off as a business expense.

Another piece of advice: wear a nametag!

Hope it works out.

Best,
Stanka

Michele Rushworth · 01-14-2005, 07:14 PM

The scenario you describe is pretty typical for the auctions I've done. They are stingy about giving out tickets because that sometimes means dinner and a seat at one of the tables (even though I've told them that's not why I wanted to be there.) I think they also don't want donor/vendors "selling" to the attendees during the event.

These auctions often have literally hundreds of items donated, and the display tables and the walls are sometimes packed to overflowing with stuff and displays. Often, as Stanka said, you can't really explain that you're associated with your item, though a name tag might help, if they do let you attend.

One idea that might work is to offer to do a demo during the event itself. That way you're bringing something else of value to the evening. It would be a great attention-getter for you also.

You're lucky they let you put business cards out. Some of the auctions I've been in didn't even want me to do that.

I've had what I would say is a 70% success rate with the auctions I've participated in: I did a painting and either got some income due to an upgrade or a subsequent referrral, in most (but not all) of the auctions to which I've donated.

Though I didn't have a 100% success rate, and though I donated a lot of pretty valuable items, doing these auctions really launched my career. I look at it as having exposure to an upscale crowd who wouldn't normally hear about me, getting a succesful painting in a client's home who can refer me to others, and having some very nice samples for my website without having to scrounge up models. Eight of the paintings on my website portfolio page came from auctions or referrals that came later.

October Reader · 01-14-2005, 11:56 PM

Holly, does your charity event have both life and silent auctions? The event I am participating in next month was interested enough to include my donation in their life auction because they were able to establish relevance of my donation (painting of classical musicians) with the nature of their group gathering (group of mainly classical music enthusiasts).

I found the advice to do so here and it really worked for my benefit in this instance. I almost feel that I can rest the issue of proper exposure to the event handlers because they are interested in using the donation to their best advantage which ultimately works out for me too. Therefore, I don't really feel the desire to force my way into participating in the actual event.

Holly Snyder · 01-15-2005, 08:09 PM

Thank you very much Stanka and Michele for your advice and sharing your experiences.

October, I'm not sure of the difference between life and silent auctions. My portrait donation has no real relevance except that I'm going to display a painting of a child, in hopes that the parents there will be interested. Good luck on your auction!

Holly

October Reader · 01-15-2005, 11:59 PM

Thank you Holly for the well wish.

Hum, since I'm learning on the fly I wouldn't want to give you inaccurate info. But here is my impression.

Silent auction is more of a "backdrop" , " "relaxed" style of auction if you will where bidders are free to roam at their own pace and desire. They spend one on one time with the item for sell and make up their own minds at leisure. Bidders state their bit amt on bidding sheets placed with each sale item to communicate interest level to the auctioneer.

Life auction occurs within a specific window of time and is orchestrated by an auctioneer in front of an audience of bidders (like the kind you see in movies). The element of competition is hence more charged since bidders have to react immediately. The item for sell gets an opportunity to be under the spotlight sort of speak and the auctioneer "massages" the audience at his/her own discretion. Though the hasty nature of life auction may eliminate those who may be of a more hesitant nature. In terms of exposure, I'd think there are pros and cons with each style.

If your donation sample looks anything close to your "head study" posted on 11/02/04, I have no doubt in my mind that you are going to be VERY happy at the end of the evening! Best of luck!

Mary Sparrow · 01-16-2005, 08:38 AM

October, you are right.

A few of the auctions I have donated to do both, they have a room for the silent auction and then in the middle of the dinner they put the items up in the live auction that they think will bring the most money.

Jean Kelly · 01-20-2005, 12:39 AM

I'm donating to my first silent auction, a portrait with a size and subject limitation. The organizers are sending a free ticket, have told me to be sure to bring business cards and brochures etc. and are setting up a website for early viewing with any info I may want about me. The organizer told me today that she feels artists in particular give the most so they want to do everything they can to make sure the artist gets exposure from this event. Wow! I'm also on the list for the "Black and Blue Ball" for muscular dystrophy hosted by Harley Davidson. Again, they are bending over backwards to accomodate their donors. This is a formal ball (although some Harley execs come in their dress leathers) and one of their major fundraising drives. This should be fun if everything works out.

Holly, please report on your experiences with this.

Jean