Why We Chose Art

We recently held an online art auction fundraiser for our adoption travel expense. It was a huge success AND a lot of fun!!

We began the auction on Friday and ended it on Saturday. Let me be the first to say, there were times when the bidding wars got really intense all the way through the last minute. It was so much fun seeing so many of you come online to participate and support our adoption, and it was sweet to see how so many of you were enjoying the auction, too.

I know some of you didn't win the bids your heart desired, but I hope you know your participation was a sweet encouragement!


Why We Chose Art

I wanted to take a moment and share with you why we chose to do an art auction. Of course, I have scoured Pinterest for plenty of fundraising ideas and an auction seemed to be a great avenue, but I wanted to do something more - something special.

Joseph and I have a growing appreciation and love for the arts. We see human creativity displayed in the arts as a direct result of the unique image we bear - that of our Creator. For so long in history, God's people have been the leaders of creativity, culture-makers through their unique designs, fascinating paintings, and love for story-telling.

More recently in history, though, Christians have taken a backseat in leading the arts, despite the mandate from the Lord to be little "c" creators, innovators, and cultivators - to be like Him.

As our world advances technologically, creativity seems to be dissipating. As Christians, we believe the Lord is pleased with creativity - after all, He creates and says "it's good."

I recalled Andy Crouch's words from his book, Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling:

"Ants and birds and chimpanzees make something of the world, in the sense of reshaping their environment with anthills and nests and even rudimentary tools and techniques - but we simply have no indication that any other creature wonders about the mystery of the world. Making sense of the world, interpreting its wonder and its terror, is left up to human beings alone. 
So how do we make sense of the world? The two senses turn out to be more intertwined than we might have thought. We make sense of the world by making something of the world. The human quest for meaning  is played out in human making: the finger-painting, omelet-stirring, chair-crafting, snow-swishing activities of culture. Meaning and making go together - culture, you could say, is the activity of making meaning."

"Making meaning..."
As I thought about doing an auction to raise money, I considered asking artists to donate pieces believing this would be a great way to bring more honor and value to the cultural impacts their pieces have in our world.

So, I went to a close friend whose art has made unique and long-lasting impacts on me and our home. Samantha Anderson is a talented artist, a gifted encourager, and a faithful friend. She responded to my idea about the auction with elation and began immediately making a mental list of the artists she would contact!

We originally planned to have a small soiree at our home with only a few pieces of art, but thankfully, the Lord had other plans. We ended up planning to go online with everything, and I'm glad we did; it turned out very well!

To Those Who Won Bids:

Thank you for generously participating! You may have paid more than market value for your piece, but the cultural and eternal impact that piece is making is far more valuable. 

It is our prayer that when someone compliments your piece you can respond with a smile, a sigh of genuine gratitude, and a few extra minutes to say, "Thank you, it is beautiful, isn't it? Let me tell you the story behind it." 

Thank you!


To the Artists: 

Abby Welch
Amy Blehm
Andee Hart
April Weidl
Elizabeth Gilbert
Elizabeth McTague
Ellen Holder
Gracelaced
Hannah Bolton
High Street Littles
Honey Honey Calligrpaphy
House of Belonging
Mallory Garret
Michelle Nachnani
Samantha Simunyu

We consider your donated work a remarkable grace in our lives. We are thankful for your willingness to donate, and humbled by the opportunity to display the works of your hands. 

It is our prayer that though you have not received monetary value for your work, you would receive 10 times the honor for it. 

Thank you!

To the Art Curator, Samantha Anderson:

Thank you for capturing the vision and seeing it through with me! I absolutely could not have done this without you. Your hard work, encouragement, and art savviness has fanned the embers of deep abiding joy in this journey. Your friendship is a gracious gift. 

It is our prayer, for the sacrifices you made to make this happen, that the Lord would bless the work of your hands abundantly, and you see much fruit abound.

Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who participated in those crazy bidding wars. :)
-Laura

You helped us raise $2,300.00* toward our adoption travel expenses!

*The final tally may be more as we still have residual money from an ongoing offer by Abby Welch -- see our Facebook Group page (Thigpen Adoption Auction Fundraiser) to get in on it while you can!







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