Buy Art and Save Lives. An Interview with Claudia Goode

Arts for ACT Gallery. Photo: R. Hernández

Arts for ACT Gallery in downtown Fort Myers was created to be an ongoing project and fundraiser for Abuse Counseling and Treatment, Inc. (ACT), the domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking center serving Lee, Hendry and Glades counties. ACT provides free shelter, counseling, food, clothing and transportation to more than 600 men, women and children annually, as well as outreach counseling, forensic rape examinations and a number of other services. ACT Curator Claudia Goode tells ARTDISTRICTS about ACT’s history and shares some of her memories.

By Raymond Hernández

Raymond Hernández - With a motto of ‘Buy Art and Save Lives,’ does art do more than entertain the viewer?

Claudia Goode - Yes, it can change the lives of so many people. ‘Buy Art and Save Lives,’ really does do just that.

R.H. - The concept of an art gallery with a sole purpose of supporting ACT Inc. is unique. Can you explain how the gallery evolved?

C.G. -The gallery was created in 1997 after several successful fine-art auction fundraisers. Fort Myers has always attracted artists-many have lived in the area, including the late Robert Rauschenberg. Mr. Rauschenberg was a big part of our fine-art auctions from 1988 until his death four years ago in 2008. I came on as the curator of Arts for ACT Gallery in 1999. We moved to our present downtown location in 2000, the first art gallery to open in this revitalized River District. We saw the quaintness of this historic area and settled into Sidney Davis Men’s Store, an upscale men’s store back in the 1960s. The gallery is one of the largest downtown, with three separate exhibition salons that rotate monthly.

Robert Rauschenberg, bidding at ACT auction.

R.H. - Rauschenberg was a great advocate for ACT and influenced artists to support the cause. How did this come about, and in what ways did he contribute?

C.G. - Bob Rauschenberg was a friend of ACT CEO Jennifer Benton, and he was a great supporter of our cause. Ms. Benton got Rauschenberg to donate for the first time in 1988; he donated a poster. In 1989, the Arts for ACT Fine Art Auction brought in $35,000, and Bob matched the total with a check to ACT. In 1991, he donated the print “Spago” accompanied by a bottle of Spago wine with his signature on it. The winning bidder was also invited to dinner at Rauschenberg’s home. In 1994, he was the featured artist for the auction fundraiser. He created our first poster that was a wonderful collage of a waterfall and roses. The signed poster sold for $50, and today it sells for $2,500. Starting in 1999, Rauschenberg and Darryl Pottorf convinced Sharon Stone to be a guest celebrity auctioneer and each year after brought a new celebrity to help us raise funds for ACT. My personal favorite was actress Meryl Streep, who brought her husband, the sculptor Don Gummer (who donated a sculpture). The year was 2003-it was our best year for the auction. We raised $475,000. Rauschenberg bid $6,000 for a “NeckKiss” necklace by a Los Angeles jewelry designer named Lexi Beerman, then gave it to Streep as a thank-you gift. Still today, the Rauschenberg estate donates to our organization each year. Rauschenberg and Pottorf would stop by the first Friday art openings at Arts for ACT Gallery occasionally to view the art and enjoy a glass of wine. He and Pottorf have both had featured exhibits at the Arts for ACT Gallery. We have three of his prints available for sale at the gallery to help raise funds.

Actress Joan Rivers, auctioning Rauschenberg poster.

R.H. - Arts for ACT’s Fine Art Auction has had past guest celebrity auctioneers such as Joan Rivers, Sharon Stone, Streep and Lily Tomlin, to name a few, as well as fine art by internationally known artists such as Rauschenberg, Ed Ruscha, Joel Shapiro, Jasper Johns, Claes Oldenburg and Pottorf. Now in its 23rd year, what can you tell us about this year’s event?

C.G. - This year our Arts for ACT 2012 Fine Art Auction will be “An Evening of Art and Blues.” It will be an artful celebration infused with blues music, to be held at the Harborside Event Center in downtown River District, Fort Myers on August 11, 2012.

R.H. - Where can the art be viewed, and is it possible for prospective buyers to purchase the art before the night of the auction?

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C.G. - We are still collecting art for this auction. Soon it will be put on our website. There are several preview parties planned for this year’s Fine Art Auction; June 14, Robb & Stucky; June 21, Encore Bank; July 13, Bob Rauschenberg Gallery; July 19, Florida Gulf Bank; July 27, FineMark National Bank & Trust; and August 2, Florida Gulf Bank. The silent-auction items will be available at a ‘Take Me Out of This Auction’ price at the July 13th Bob Rauschenberg Gallery opening at Edison State College.

NBC 2 News anchor, Kellie Burns, at the ACT fine art auction. All photos are courtesy of ACT Gallery

R.H. - Last year’s auction was televised. Will it be live this year, and can buyers take part in the bidding?

C.G. - I believe you will be able to view the art from the live auction, as they are being auctioned and bid on from a live online auction website. See our auction website for information.

R.H. - Is the art purchased from the auction a tax write-off?

C.G. - About charity auctions, if the winning bid is at or below the actual market value of the item they do not get a tax deduction. The tax donation is any amount paid over the actual market value price.

R.H. - Are there any open calls or artist submissions being accepted for future exhibitions at ACT Gallery?

C.G. - ACT Gallery has one open call to an artist-themed art exhibit each year in July. This year we have three different and diverse themes: “Gone to the Dogs,” “Signs” and “The Cat’s Meow.” Artists have a choice of any or all themes. The prospectus can be downloaded from our website-click on events. Arts for ACT would love to have new artists exhibitions. The main salon’s first opening is in 2014, but the smaller gallery salons have openings for 2013 and a few months of 2012 are available. Artists interested in exhibiting should email me two to three images and information of the work to be considered. The artists appropriate for the ACT Gallery will be contacted.

Artist Lennie Jones, and ACT Volunteer Diana Preston

R.H. - What exhibitions can we look forward to this upcoming season?

C.G. - We have some creative and unique exhibitions lined up. Openings are during the first Friday of the month Fort Myers Art Walk. I’m looking forward to June’s paper-doll shadowbox series with Alisha Koyanis. August in the main gallery, international artist Zaki will exhibit two- and three-dimensional works. November, Tiite Baquero will be featured, and cartoonist Doug MacGregor will be shown in December 2012.

Arts for ACT Gallery is located at 2265 First Street. Fort Myers, FL 33901. Phone 239 337 5050 / www.artsforactgallery.com / cgoode@actabuse.com

To view the Arts for ACT 2012 Fine Art Auction or to purchase tickets to the event visit, www.artsforactfineartauction.com

Raymond Hernández is a contemporary artist, photographer and arts writer based in Southwest Florida.