Seguin Daily News Monday, February 15, 2010

Main Street artists supporting Haiti fundraiser

By Mary Jo Filip, Main Street Program Director

(Seguin) — Sometimes, things that seem very remote and far away from our own personal reality hit home in an unusual way. The Seguin Main Street Program has had the benefit of having Marika Bordes serve on the board for the past several years. As an artist, Marika was instrumental in moving one of the Main Street Advisory Board goals forward during the past year: the development of an Arts Commission in Seguin. She and her husband, Dennis Martin, are also friends of Seguin’s efforts to preserve and tell the story of its rich history, having renovated their home and received approval for placement of a Texas Historical Marker on the property.

So, when disaster struck Haiti, Seguin was struck by just how close to home Haiti seemed since Marika is from Haiti. Her artist friends wanted to show how much they value her and agreed to host an Art Auction to benefit Haiti. The Seguin Oakwood Art League contacted members and artist friends from surrounding communities including San Antonio, Austin and Staples and organized the Haiti Benefit Art Auction which is being held on Saturday, February 13 at the Silver Center located at 510 E. Court Street. There is a reception with refreshments from 5-6 p.m. and Texas State Representative Edmund Kuempel will then serve as auctioneer for the event.

Art from the MJC Gallery located downtown will be included in the auction. Photographer Matt Chase is donating two photographs taken in Central Park. One features the bandstand and fountain and one the statue of Juan Seguin. Both are framed and ready to be hung. Kris Kelso, also with MJC Gallery, has donated a colorful painting of a girl in traditional Mexican dance wear. Other art that has been displayed by members of the Seguin Oakwood Art League in the downtown vacant window “Phantom Galleries” is also being donated for the auction.

A crowning jewel of the auction will be a wood sculpture created by our Haitian-born Main Street friend, Marika Bordes.

All proceeds will go to Save the Children, Doctors without Borders, or The American Red Cross.