When charity auctions go wrong

[Alexandra Tyng]

I've only participated in two auctions and neither experience generated further commissions.

One of them was at a private school with many wealthy families. The school had a silent auction to raise money to help a teacher pay for her medical expenses because she had run through the maximum allowance on her health insurance. I had a sample portrait up on an easel and was right there answering questions. Lots of people expressed interest. I had a reserve on the portrait--half my normal fee. During the auction, the art teacher came up to me all excited. She said a parent had offered her 1/4 the reserve. "Should we accept it?" I was annoyed, but I thought, "Well, it would go to the teacher, and it's better than nothing." But then I thought, "Wait a minute! This woman knows the money is for the teacher and she's trying to bargain me down--that;s not right." So I said "no" and then someone else bid the full reserve bid! The people were very happy with the portrait I did of their daughter--but nothing else came from it.

The other experience was at a major charity benefit. The people there were dressed to the nines and there was news coverage, etc. I brought a portrait of my son, and my son came in person so people cold see the likeness. He helped talk to people before the bidding started. This was a live auction. Most of the items were things like a week at a private resort, season tickets to the baseball games, and expensive luxury items like jewelry and cars. I wondered if anyone was going to be interested in art. The bidding went up beyond the minimum to about 2/3 the actual price. Not bad.

But the people who bought it didn't want a portrait of one person--they wanted me to paint their four children, at the same price. They had several conversations with me about it, trying to figure out ways they could get around paying more. Could I put the children in the background? Yes, but it would cost more. Etc. Finally, after a year, they decided that the wife would have her portrait done. There was only one problem: she didn't want to have her portrait done! Finally I said to her, "Look, let's make this fun." She went out and bought a dress and began to get involved. The portrait turned out pretty well. The husband and wife both were thrilled with it. They had an unveiling party. But guess what? I wasn't invited! They just happened to mention the were having one. I said, "Let me send you some business cards." They said "Oh, sure," very offhandedly.

In both these cases, I could have done more follow-up. This is not something I'm very good at. I'm kind of slow at thinking about what I could do (or should have done). But I also sensed, in both of these auctions, a lack of interest in art, or at least spending money on art. I think, to be successful, you have to aim for an auction where people are interested and expecting to buy art.

[Stanka Kordic]

Hi Everyone

Charity auctions and I go way back, albeit not all of them good. Overall, I consider them a necessary endeavor, kind of like art competitions and more positively- my yoga practice. I'd much rather try a handstand in the middle of the room than be in attendance during a live auction. Kudos to you Amanda for being there with your ears unplugged!

Overall, my experience has been good. I have donated a full-head and shoulders twice, both times they generated more work. Most often, I offer a discount that is applied toward their total commission. My worst experience there was the winning family thought the entire portrait was worth that much. NOT. Once they fully understood, it went to the competing family.

I had a client in Chicago ask me to donate for a fundraiser she was chairing. I sent along a portfolio, my brochures, and she talked me up to people there. It became an intense bidding war thanks to her efforts- and a bunch of good wine I suppose. That was nice. I usually do not ask to be in attendance. I show up to set up, and run. Otherwise, I'd be hanging out at the bar with my eyes and ears shut, a nervous wreck. I'm sure I'd even smoke a cigar if offered.

Its frustrating to understand that our heart and soul efforts are competing with hot air balloon rides. People don't get that after the big event, we go and MAKE the donation. Alex is right, trying to find a charity that appreciates art is important. Otherwise, we are competing in an arena that is looking for something for nothing.

Not to mention the whole tax -deduction issue. Don't get me started on that one...

[Julie Deane]

I've had mixed results.

The first auction I ever participated, the winner was a grandparent who wanted her grandchild painted. But mom apparently didn't. End of story.

Recently, I've had a grandma buy one 25% certificate at an auction and used it towards an oil painting. And then she put money down on a second painting because I told her my prices were going to change considerably at the beginning of the year. So, she got two bargain paintings, but that's okay, as I'm starting out and want portfolio pieces.

Usually, I do a head and shoulders certificate at the Christmas event I do every year. It's a silent auction, and there is no question about what is being auctioned, because a sample is available to see.

Be aware that your art could get damaged and try to do the setup and take-down yourself. I had a frame ruined due to carelessness from one school.

[Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco]

I was asked twice to donate a portrait for a school raffle. The first time, a few years ago, the prize was won by the mother in law of one of the best art dealer in antique and modern portraits in town, she didn't bother getting in touch with me.
Last summer the prize was won by the mother of two boys whom I had already painted, and she was already on my waiting list for the third brother. Not only I did not aquire a new client, I also lost a commission !
I know better now.

[Amanda Grosjean]

Thank you everyone for the responses so far. It has been very interesting to hear these different experiences. It is a little hard to know what to really take away from them (other than getting a little depressed). You can get work IF it a high ticket auction, IF they appreciate art, IF the organizers and auctioneers are helpful and well-organized, IF those wealthy art lovers feel like bidding that night and understood what they were bidding on correctly, and IF the stars and moon line up correctly, falling on the third Saturday of the month.

AND, there is no guarantee that if they bid that they will call you to complete the commission or that any of those little business cards you passed around will generate any work.

It sounds like many of you have had luck offering up drawings instead of portraits. My concern is that although I may get some more business I won't get to do what I really want to do (and what I think I am the best at), which is paint. I am also concerned that if I can't get a response from a full head and shoulders portrait being offered, a gift certificate for a percentage off won't really help especially when they have no idea what my prices are during a live auction.

Well, I have every intention to keep keep pursuing this avenue.
Thanks, and I'd be happy to hear any more suggestions if you have them.

-Amanda

[Michele Rushworth]

A raffle, as you found, Illaria, might not be the best way to go. In the first case you mentioned, not everyone in the raffle is interested in a portrait. At least with auctions, presumably everyone who signs the bid sheet is interested (though some don't follow up.)

A way to prevent the second scenario from happening would be to specify that it is for "new clients only".

My auction experiences have been mixed. Of the 10 or so auctions that I have participated in about half have been worthwhile. The worst one resulted in a damaged frame, having the sample set up in a very out of the way corner, being in the silent auction as opposed to the live auction as I was promised, and no bids.

The best auction experience I had led to one of my very best clients who has since gone on to commission five three-quarter length oil portraits, and also led to a contact with an art school where I teach an annual workshop.

All in all, I would still highly recommend participating in auctions for artists getting started with their careers. It gives you exposure (if you choose the right auctions), experience working with real clients, and portfolio samples -- and often, you do get income from many of them.

[Chris Saper]

I include several restrictions;

Certificates may not be combined.
One certificate per family.
Not valid with broker-arranged commisisons.

[Amanda Grosjean]

What is the consensus on expiration dates on the gift certificates? I wouldn't want to discourage people if they are saving up for the second figure.

Amanda