First Fundraiser Held For Dublin Arts Collective Nonprofit

There was a bustle of artists, easels and painting on Saturday afternoon in Dublin when the Dublin Arts Collective (DAC) hosted its first fundraiser.

Community members showed their support for the arts community by joining in the lively painting event called Paint on the Patio held on the Patios of The Frame Company & Art Gallery, Three Sheets Craft Beer Bar and J Salon & Spa in Village Parkway.

Passersby intrigued by the hive of artistic activity, stopped to chat and mingle while viewing the artworks in progress.

Claudia McCormick, President of the Dublin Arts Collective, welcomed all the participants and encouraged them to enjoy the afternoon of creating their masterpieces while providing much needed funding to support further community arts events in the City of Dublin.

The painting session was guided by artist and The Frame Company & Gallery owner, Sawsan Wolski, who is also the Vice President of the DAC. Participants were allowed creative freedom to interpret the template provided as they chose. On board to provide artistic support was versatile artist Gina Gabriell who helped guide painters through the process.

It was wonderful to have Vice Mayor, Melissa Hernandez at the event as well as Heritage & Cultural Arts Commissioner, Steve Minniear and Planning Commissioner Dawn Benson ( who also serves on the DAC Board).

The City of Dublin is planning to create a Cultural Arts Center which will provide a dedicated space for artistic endeavors for the community.

Artist Jennifer Huber and her son also participated and she took the opportunity to create a unique piece depicting the hills around Dublin. Jennifer is one of the artists who successfully applied to the City to be awarded two utility box designs and her latest one was just completed. The Utility Box can be found at the corner of Scarlett Drive and Dublin Boulevard (where the Iron Horse trail runs into Dublin Boulevard across from the Arlen Ness motorcycle dealer).

Part of the fundraising drive involved a raffle of the award winning image donated by DAC Co-Founder, Vanessa Thomas. "Poppy Delight" was recently awarded Best of Class for the Alternative Processing & Mixed Media Category at the Alameda County Fair. Barbara Luna was the lucky winner of the prize. Other prizes included gift vouchers donated by J Salon and Spa.

A generous donation to the cause was provided by Bette Felton from Sky Terrace Vineyards which was a great boost to the event.

"Thank you Dublin Arts Collective for bringing us all together on a beautiful Saturday to be creative. Special thank you Sawsan Wolski for hosting us all on her patio. I appreciated the painting tips and thoroughly enjoyed visiting with old friends and meeting new ones. I just might have to dig my paint out more frequently!" said participant Katherine Stutesman Utsumi.

Bulletin From Google also provided giveaways for this event and more of these will be distributed at the Splatter Festival"art as entertainment" booths which are gearing up for loads of fun, creative activities on Saturday, September 14. If you are interested in volunteering at an arts booth please sign up here.

Participant Steve Minniear said "I had a great time with all the attendees. And I won a T-shirt. I call that a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon!"

The DAC has several events and programs on the cards including establishing an Art Circuit in Dublin where selected Artwork by local artists will be rotated through various businesses.

Planning is also underway for next year's TEDx EmeraldGlenPark event organized by Olga V Mack who has given local artists a unique platform to display their talents. The DAC has been involved from the first TEDx event held in Dublin and participation by artists has flourished.

"We are thrilled with the response to our first fundraiser and look forward to creating more opportunities for our community to engage in the arts and explore their creativity" said Sawsan Wolski, "Paint on the Patio resulted in a delightful array of artworks and we hope to perpetuate the uplifting spirit generated through imaginative, expressive and creative artistic pursuits".