Editor’s note: This is part of a series of promotional stories of local amateur artists that will be printed in the Urbana Daily Citizen in coming weeks.
A popular local fundraiser that supports local arts returns this year.
The polls are now open for the 9th annual Bad Art by Good People fundraiser, presented by the Champaign County Arts Council.
The tongue-in-cheek competition features non-artist celebrities creating works of art and campaigning for the public’s votes for their artwork.
Today’s featured artist is Chris Phelps, who is executive vice president of Perpetual Federal Savings Bank.
She is board member of the Champaign Family YMCA. She is a member of Woodstock Lions Club, Champaign County Arts Council, Champaign County Historical Society and Champaign County Agriculture Society. Phelps is past president of the Downtown Business Association. She was a 4-H advisor for 25 years.
Chris loves being a mother and a “Grammy” and she also loves her job.
”My project was inspired by having patronized our local ‘second hand’ shops,” Phelps said. “When I looked at the various items for sale, I began to wonder where they had been and the path that led them to this shop. The picture that I put together could have a different story formed by others. I have written a book that accompanies my project that details each item. My thought process with my project brought me to the conclusion — Thank goodness for our ‘second hand’ shops. Perhaps the ‘second owner’ is the most lucky, as they are able to buy an ‘experienced’ item that already knows how to bring joy, comfort and memories to them.”
In addition to Phelps, the artists include Curtis Blake, First Central National Bank; Kristyn Campbell, Mechanicsburg School District; Lisa Dunham, Security National Bank; Kent Eichenauer, Dragonfly Vineyard & Wine Cellar; Jerry Fetherolf, Autism Educational Service Center; Josh Jacobs, Urbana Police Division; Katie Neer, Solomon’s Garage; Andrea Russell, Tommy Brooks Salon; Elizabeth Smith, small business owner; Steve Stout, sports editor of the Urbana Daily Citizen; Bev Titus, co-founder of the Alicia Titus Memorial Peace Fund; Myles Trempe, Wallace & Turner; and Alex Trebek, host of the TV game show Jeopardy!
Trebek has hosted nearly 8,000 episodes of Jeopardy! in 35 years. The piece was obtained from Trebek and donated to the fundraiser by Urbana Daily Citizen Sports Editor Steve Stout and it will be part of the dinner and auction.
The public can vote for their favorite artwork using PayPal on the Arts Council’s website, www.champaigncountyartscouncil.org. Votes can also be cast with cash, check or credit card at the Arts Council, 119 Miami St., Urbana. The office is open Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dinner auction
A limited number of tickets are available for the dinner and auction, which will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, February 28, at the VFW hall, 220 East Court St. Tickets are $25 and include a catered dinner and dessert provided by “In Good Taste Catering.”
The “Bad Art” will be auctioned after dinner. All proceeds will benefit the Arts Council.
Tickets are for sale at the Arts Council’s office and online at the Arts Council’s website.
The gold sponsors for the event are Patrick Field/Coppertop and Eric Shiffer.
Silver sponsors include Atkins-Shively Funeral Home, CRSI, Wallace & Turner and Remax Alliance/The V. Patrick Hamilton Group. Bronze sponsors include Henderson Realty, Civista Bank, Vernon Funeral Home and Bauer Stoves.
Check out the Arts Council’s Facebook page for information leading up to the event — www.facebook.com/CCACUrbana.
For more information, contact the Arts Council office at 937-653-7557.
