Drawing support for artists

By Times Staff Writer
Published December 16, 2007

It has been one week since a suspicious fire destroyed the Imago Art Colony in Dunedin, taking with it irreplaceable works by 15 local artists, as well as the studios where they were created. Almost immediately, efforts began to help the artists get money, tools and space in which to start working again. The Dunedin Fine Art Center is holding a fundraiser Wednesday to collect cash and art supplies for the Imago artists, some of whom will have artwork for sale there. Among them is Denis Gaston, shown above drawing in his Imago studio last month; he lost 80 pieces in the fire. At left is his Rusticated Man, among the works available for sale. The fundraiser is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Dunedin Fine Art Center, 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin. Admission is $20; donations of art supplies will be collected.

More ways to help:

- Checks can be written to Professional Association of Visual Artists, or PAVA (Write Imago Artist in the memo line). Mail to P.O. Box 2665, Dunedin, FL 34697.

- Art supplies can be donated by calling Susan Rollins Gehring at (727) 736-2466 or Barbara Hanson at (727) 539-8901 and arranging a pickup.

- Salt Creek Artworks, 1600 Fourth St. S, St. Petersburg, also is collecting art materials. Call (727) 894-2653.

- Central Art Supply Co., 1114 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, is coordinating an artists' registry so people can buy items the artists need. Call (727) 898-8300.

- At Masterpiece Art Supplies, 758 N Belcher Road, Clearwater, people are buying gift cards for artists. Call (727) 449-2550.

[Last modified December 14, 2007, 17:37:55]