Fairfield charity art auction enters final stretch

FAIRFIELD – Residents have just a few weeks left to bid on items at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center’s charity art auction.

The auction began in early December and goes through Jan. 31. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the arts center and the Fairfield Art Association. The auction features art donated by Iowa State Bank, which gave 71 pieces originally curated in 1972 by then-president of Iowa State Bank, Charles Eastburn.

Eastburn acquired the art to hang at the bank’s downtown branch at the corner of Court Street and Broadway Avenue. Iowa State Bank remodeled its new office on Fourth Street, and has moved its employees there, which is why it’s hoping the art pieces at its downtown branch can find a new home.

Suzan Kessel, volunteer director of the art association, said the collection includes several wildlife prints by well-known artists. It includes one Wendell Mohr watercolor, a springtime farm scene, and other originals. Mohr was a master watercolorist who lived in Bentonsport, in Van Buren County.

“[There is] a memory series of prints that have ‘ghost reflections’ of people if you look closely in the family life scenes,” Kessel said.

Kessel said there are several large paintings perfect for big walls, and some Renoir-stamped limited edition prints. Pierre-Auguste Renoir was a pioneer in the French impressionist style of painting. Kessel said there are large and small prints signed and numbered, and nicely matted and framed, by the American artist P. Buckley Moss.

Fairfield Arts & Convention Center Assistant Director Mendy McAdams remarked, “This is a good opportunity to get a great piece of art for a good price. We want to make sure that we get all of them sold, and do good by Iowa State Bank.”

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com