West Brattleboro, Vt. – On Sunday, June 14, from 4 to 6:30 pm, All Souls Church Unitarian Universalist invites area art lovers to “For the Love of Art,” a gala reception and fundraising auction for 53 works of art donated to the church by Beverly Alberts. This is an “everything must go to a new home” event, so minimum bids are set a very modest levels, most under a hundred dollars, many under fifty.
Nearly all of the collection is by artists from the local area, including Maisie Crowther, Carolyn DiNicola Fawley, Gennaro Prozzo, Petria Mitchell, Susan McDormand, Karen Becker, Simi Berman, Dorothy Kehaya, Bob George, Trudy Crites, Gib Taylor, Brian Cohen, and Linda Wright, among others. The exhibit includes photographs, prints, and paintings in a variety of mediums, and a few artful posters. Six larger pieces—by artists Jeanne Carbonetti, Arrin Fancher, Bill Hunt, Eric Slayton, and Sally Warren, as well as a 4-panel Chinese screen—will be sold by live auction at 6 pm as the Silent Auction comes to a close.
As a former artist’s representative, Alberts marketed work by Windham County artists to galleries across New England in the early ’80s. She was also involved in 1989 with the organization of the former Windham Art Gallery, where she was in charge of volunteers, and helped to set up the Arts Council of Windham County’s annual Student Art Month, still going strong. Fittingly, the Council bestowed its first Friend of the Arts award on Alberts. Later, in 2000-02, she was in charge of art show hangings at Brooks Memorial Library and then through 2012 served as co-chair of the Arts Committee at All Souls Church, where she selected artists for gallery exhibits, oversaw show hangings, and helped run opening receptions.
Over the years, Alberts has also been an avid art collector, whether making a direct purchase from an artist or as the winning bidder of work in a benefit auction for one of the area’s good causes. A couple of months ago, in order to fit into a more modest home at The Bradley House, she decided to donate to All Souls Church, her spiritual home, the many pieces for which she didn’t have room. Her intent was to help the church raise funds for upkeep of its building and grounds, in particular by underwriting the extra fuel oil and driveway expenses it had been burdened with over the past two difficult winters.
Sunday’s “For the Love of Art” event will offer attendees a generous spread of hearty hors d’oeuvres and desserts, as well as a glass of wine and non-alcoholic beverages for a donation of $10 per person. Interludes of live music will also enliven the proceedings.
Beverly is looking forward to enjoying a reunion with as many Windham Art Gallery members, other artist friends, and fellow art lovers as are able to attend. For food and drink planning purposes, it would be great to have RSVPs. Send a quick email to office@ascvt.org or call the church office at (802) 254-9377.
The All Souls gallery is otherwise open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:00 to 2:00. All Souls Church UU is located at 29 South St. across from the West Brattleboro village green and fire station. Follow the wooded driveway up to a large parking area by the building.