Last call for bids 5:30 p.m. Feb. 11
What do you get when you place a clay heart in the hands of an artist? An expression of amazing creativity, said organizers of the “Have a Heart” silent auction at the Upstairs Artspace in Tryon.
“Have a Heart” is a silent auction of “heArts” to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters. Area potter Jim Cornell envisioned this benefit and he and potter Doug Dacey created the ceramic hearts to distribute to local artists for embellishment.
More than 40 artists produced 68 pieces, including two made of metal. All the artists took different approaches to adorning the surface of their pieces, with results ranging from whimsical and playful to thoughtful and spiritual.
The Have a Heart project opened on Jan. 27 with a crowd at the Upstairs for the gallery’s first show of 2012: “The Fine Art Ramblers and The Innovative Camera.”
Bidding on the hearts began that night, and the Upstairs staff reports that a steady stream of visitors has continued to come by to check on the status of “their” hearts.