EATON — The Preble County Art Association (PCAA) hosted the seventh annual Bad Art, Good Folk fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 2, raising nearly $100,000 for the PCAA.
Held this year at The Gym at Eagles Point, the fundraiser features local celebrities working with a mentor to create artwork that was auctioned off during the event.
The cast for the auction included Kathy Girten from Indiana University East, Jade Newton from LCNB Lewisburg, Carrie Kerby from REID Health-Eaton (Team Tom Butters); Jacki Gross with Yankee Clover Mercantile of Lewisburg, Tiffany Moreland with Skyline Chili-Eaton, and Brionne Reynolds, Preble County Clerk of Courts (Team Cheri Simon); and Kathy Clapp from Coldwell Banker College Real State, Chris Atkin from Wings Etc. and David Gulling from Neaton Manufacturing Inc. (Team Michelle Buckley).
The nine Good Folk worked under the guidance of their coaches since May, creating a piece of art that was auctioned off. Team Cheri Simon raised the most money, while Gross individually raised the most with $13,000.
Preble Arts Executive Director Claudia Edwards said the event “went really well.”
“It’s been our biggest and most successful fundraiser to this day, and it was a humbling experience to see that we had such wonderful support of the community and that we were able to come together from different backgrounds and organizations to support one common goal,” she said.
The $95,000 raised in this year’s action will go towards the growth of programming for Preble Arts, Edwards said.
“It makes arts accessible to minority families in the community, and it helps us outreach to other counties as well,” she said. “We’re branching out to Wayne County, Indiana, but we’re also branching out to Darke County, Montgomery County, in an effort to create local growth in Eaton. What I would like to see is that Preble Arts becomes a destination and in that way, helps the local economy.”
This year’s edition of Bad Art, Good Folk was a success, but there’s already plenty to look forward to for next year.
“We have decided that next year, and we’re hoping to have the event in the spring, and we’re changing the format to the Battle of the Champions,” Edwards said. “We’re going to bring seven winners from the last seven years and they’re going to compete against each other in that way.”
Bad Art, Good Folk returned to normal operations this year after being held virtually last year, and Edwards thanked the community for their support.
“I’m very thankful to everyone who supported our efforts and that has supported me and welcomed me as part of Preble Arts and in the community, and I look forward to working with everyone locally,” Edwards said.
For more information, visit https://www.preblearts.org.
