NEW YORK, NY.- In a low-key but remarkably unique charity auction, “Color Outside The Lines,” currently online and ongoing until its closing bell this Sunday, May 31, 2015, the public can simultaneously support arts education for children in underfunded public elementary schools whilst also acquiring original art specially created for this cause by a very impressive pool of some very different but all strikingly prominent artistic persons.
Overall, the works show a rainbow of visions in a sincere showcase of visual art, each an individual effort by a wide grasp of luminaries from seemingly unrelated areas in what is our contemporary culture; from Lena Dunham (of HBO’s hit series Girls) to magician & entertainer David Copperfield to legendary fashion royalty Diane Von Furstenberg.
Many of the items currently on the bidding floor are still as affordably low as $250. Now’s the chance to acquire an original compelling work by Dunham’s Girls colleague Jemima Kirke, or perhaps a work projecting a different mood, playfully drawn by Ed Helms (of The Office and Hangover fame). You can also peruse the work of Tina Fey; Will Ferrell; Casey Affleck; Jack Black; Elle Fanning; Jason Schwartzman; Maggie Gyllenhaal; Naomi Watts; and Jessica Biel.
Many, many more notables contributed, totaling 50 “artists.”
In the mix, you’ll also find a very appealing drawing by one celebrated figure who is actually at home in the art world: Laurie Simmons (her well-received installation “How We See” now at The Jewish Museum in New York City through mid-August, continues to gather rave reviews).
The non-profit organization Lily Sarah Grace (LSG), painstakingly collected these contributed works, in its fundraising goal to raise opportunities for more arts education in otherwise underfunded public elementary schools.
According to the organizers, LSG provided each contributor with a sketchpad and marker, with a simple request for a line drawing. The results are something to be seen: ranging from the whimsical (comedian Will Ferrell’s lively scribble drawings) to the cerebral (actor and director Casey Affleck’s thought-provoking complex maze portrait).
Founded by Matthew Badger and Abby Ballin, the LSG organization is in memory of Mr. Badgers’ three daughters Lily (age 9) and twins Sarah & Grace (ages 7), who tragically passed away in a massive house fire on Christmas in Stamford, Connecticut, in 2011.
Unrelated to the incident, the three girls suffered from dyslexia, a condition described as a learning disability causing challenges to read or write despite possessing a normal intelligence. According to the Department of Neurology of the Boston Children’s Hospital, dyslexia affects 5% to 17% of children, to greater or lesser degrees.
In grieving for his daughters, Matthew Badger remembered firsthand how vital the arts were in school for his girls; art was their passion. “The Lily Sarah Grace Fund is my love for my girls," he told ABC News in 2012. "The instinct of a father for me was that I needed to love my children … and that love I channeled into the creation of the Lily Sarah Grace Fund.”
"This was important for two reasons,” participant Whoopi Goldberg stated. “To keep hope alive in children through art and imagination; and to pay homage to the magical spirit of Lily, Sarah, and Grace."
Since its inception, the organization has contributed one million dollars in supplies to teachers in overlooked elementary schools, to assist incorporating the arts in teaching curriculum. As a result of LSG’s work, about 160,000 children have already benefited in classrooms all over America.
These artworks were originally compiled into a 2014 book “You Can’t Memorize This” (available for purchase at www.lsgstore.org ). Now, the public has the exclusive opportunity to acquire the original hand-drawn pieces.
Bidding is ongoing through Sunday at:
www.biddingforgood.com/lilysarahgrace
