‘For Art Sake!’ raises $1,100 for SJ school art

From left to right: Valerie Brewer, school board member; Travis Echanove, St. John art teacher; Mark Purvine, St. John principal; Amanda Webb, St. John Community Club event coordinator; Shantyl McGuire, school board member, and Suzanne Schmick, St. John/Endicott superintendent, at the check presentation to the art department.

St. John Community Club last week wrote a check to the St. John school art department after raising $1,100 through a community event.

“It was a full house in the community building,” said Amanda Webb, who organized ‘For Art Sake!’ as a fundraiser for the school. “We had so much fun!”

The event allowed participants the chance to paint a winter scene, led by art teacher Travis Echanove. Webb’s original goal was to raise $500 to donate to the art department.

“This doubled his annual budget,” said Webb. “He gets $1,000 per year, and in one night, we were able to double that for him. His jaw was on the floor.”

Webb said 46 painters showed up to the event Jan. 14. Cost to participate was $45 per person, which included the cost for the canvass, all supplies and hor d’oeurves. Webb said entry funds remaining after purchasing the supplies and hor d’oeurves were used to make the donation.

“We were able to get some of our supplies on sale, and we made easels out of old political signs, so there was no cost there. They worked fantastic!” said Webb.

Webb said it was great to have so many people attend.

“We were ecstatic with the outcome,” she said. “There were lots of teachers from our St. John school, lots of community members. We really had a great, diverse crowd. We had wonderful, amazing support.”

Webb said several people have expressed interest in having another art event.

“I’m just thrilled at the support the event received at being a first-time event,” she said.

She said there will likely be another art event in the spring, also to benefit the art department.

“There’s lots of things our kids could benefit from with additional funds,” she said.

She added residents have also expressed interest in having future events of this nature open to all ages. For Art Sake! was only open to those 21 and older because there was a no-host bar. She said the future art event will likely be open to all ages.