Art auction to benefit American Heart Association

May 27, 2014 | Arts, Events, UToday, UTMC
By Aimee Portala



An art auction is being held through Friday, May 30, to benefit the American Heart Association.

This photo of Emmett Kelly Jr. is one of the pieces up for bid in the silent auction.

This photo of Emmett Kelly Jr. is one of the pieces up for bid in the silent auction.

All proceeds from the auction will go toward research and education critical to reducing heart disease and stroke.

The pieces will be on display Wednesday, May 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. across from the hospital gift shop at The University of Toledo Medical Center.

Bids can be placed via email by contacting Andrea Jacobs at andrea.jacobs@utoledo.edu.

Artists with works up for bid are:

• Jerry Fralick, who lives in Toledo and has pursued photography as a hobby for more than 30 years. A member of several area photography clubs, Fralick enjoys taking photos of the Toledo area. Fralick’s framed 18-inch-by-18-inch photo is of Emmett Kelly Jr., one of the most famous clowns in the world. The photo is one of two copies; the other print was given to Kelly. Fralick said Kelly was in character, staying silent, the entire two hours he was with him.

• Colleen O’Brien, originally from Detroit, who has lived in the Toledo area for 20 years. She started painting later in life and took lessons for several years at For the Love of Art, a local studio. She has worked with pastels, acrylics, oils and watercolors. O’Brien’s floral painting is a watercolor on Yupo paper. It is framed and measures 27 inches by 33 inches. She has been a member of the Toledo Artists’ Club at the Toledo Botanical Gardens for eight years and has won several awards for her work.

• David Smith, who spent 30 years as a teacher and counselor before retiring in 2003. Smith has studied drawing since 1997 and watercolor since 1998, but he did not have enough time to devote to visual arts until his retirement. His study of watercolor began with his mentor and friend, local artist Larry Golba. Smith also has studied at the Toledo Museum of Art, with PBS artist Terry Madden, and with renowned watercolor artist Tony Couch. His beach painting is framed and measures 22 inches by 18 inches. He has won several awards for his work and is a member of the Northwest Ohio Watercolor Society, Toledo Artists’ Club, Ohio Plein Air Society, Tile Club of Toledo, Monday Morning Painters, and Suntan Art Center in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Colleen O'Brien painted this floral work that is part of the auction

Colleen O’Brien painted this floral work that is part of the auction

David Smith painted this watercolor beach scene that is up for bid.

David Smith painted this watercolor beach scene that is up for bid.

Click to access the login or register cheese