Residents Bid to Help Art, Community
By Nielsen Ferry/MicroMemphis reporter

April 2, 2011

Young Avenue Deli served up something a little different from food and beverages this April.  This year’s installment of Art for Art’s Sake was held to once again raise money for the upkeep of the Cooper-Young trestle art that marks the gateway into the neighborhood.

“It takes about $10,000 – 14,000 to maintain the trestle,” said Debbie Sowell, member of the Cooper-Young Community Association.  “We love having the event at the Deli.  Tiger (Tiger Bryant, owner, Young Avenue Deli) is a strong community supporter and doesn’t ask for anything in return for hosting.”

A live auction made up of art from local artists featured auctioneer Ric Chetter, radio personality known for his work on the Bad Dog and Ric show.  There was also a silent auction that included photography, jewelry, pottery and a number of other unique items.

“Making art for this is my way to give back and it makes me feel fantastic to be a part of this,” said artists Karen “Bottle” Capps.  “What makes this event special is the intimacy.  Everybody knows everybody and it’s something to look forward to every year as a community building event.”  Capps has been a Cooper-Young resident since 1990.

The auction may be an event that brings Cooper-Young residents together for a purpose and community togetherness but several of the pieces for sale sparked heated bidding wars amongst neighbors.  One such piece made by artist Mollie Rigs got residents Terry Lawrence and Becca outbidding each other until Lawrence won with a final bid of $700.00.

“I’ve got eight pieces of hers already.  Terry and I fight over Mollie’s pieces every year,” said Dickerson.

The auction raised  $12,566.00  And this year, aside from the upkeep of the trestle, money from the auction could go to fundi several new art projects around the neighborhood.

“We have been planning several projects with Urban Art and we would like to see art similar to the trestleat some of the other gateways to Cooper Young,” said John Kinsey, President, Cooper-Young Community Association.

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Pic through the night...

Meet the Artists

This year's artists visited with community members at Otherlands Coffee shop.  Find out what inspires them to give and create...

In case you missed it, take a look at the night's festivities...

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Live Auction Results

Piece                                             Valued At          Sold For     Cancun
Artist:  Judy Vandergrift                  $250                      $95              

Off the Greenlline           
Artist:  Allen Porner                            $200                  $100  

Horizon Series                  
Artist:  Donna Blackard                     $800                   $350 

Homage to Life                 
Artist:  Ronert Shatzer                       $950                   $200       

Tiny Dancers               
Artist:  Mollie Jay Riggs                    $650                   $700 

Untitled    
Artist:  Mary Long-Postal                 $500                    $250     

Trestle Art                     
Artist:  Duane & Pamela Dunaway          $250                    $150          

The Light from Above 
Artist:  Maria Parham                      $300                       $50          

Cooper-Young exactly   
Artist:  Kelly Gourds                         $250                     $100 

Fluorescent Cat (my father as a cat)              
Artist:  Alex Warble                       $1,250                    $970         

Sun Over Cooper St.      
Artist:  Lisa Lumb                           $1,250                    $925         

Neuf Fleurs                     
Artist:  Rollin M. Kocsis                    $500                     $200       

True Glory Church        
Artist:  Jeanne Seagle                     $800                      $300          

Full Moon over Frayser 
Artist:  Carol Robison                      $500                       $500 

precolumbia #13           
Artist:  Kyl-el Comix                       $400                       $375          

She Flew the Coop          
Artist:  Karen Bottle Capps        $1,500                       $725 

Waiting for Elvis at Libertyland 
Artist:  Paul Clarke                         $460                       $300            

You are Cooper-Young  
Artist:  John Browning                 $250                        $225       

Fork it Over Catering dinner for 8
                                                              $500                       $300 

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