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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Fairfield to host charity art auction
FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield Arts & Convention Center and Fairfield Art Association are teaming up to present a charity art auction from Dec. 3 through Jan. 31.
The charity art auction features art donated by Iowa State Bank, and proceeds from it will benefit both the arts center and the art association. An opening reception will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3 during Fairfield First Fridays Art Walk.
Iowa State Bank is donating 71 pieces of art originally curated in 1972 by then-president of Iowa State Bank, Charles Eastburn. Eastburn’s son Dave Eastburn went on to become president of the bank’s holding company and chairman of its board of directors.
Charles Eastburn acquired the art to adorn the walls of the bank’s downtown branch at the corner of Court Street and Broadway Avenue. Eastburn’s commitment to including local and regional artists influenced many of the downtown Fairfield establishments at the time, and was a boon to many local artists.
Iowa State Bank remodeled its new office on Fourth Street, and by the summer of 2021, had moved nearly all of its 30 employees to the Fourth Street branch. Bank officials sought a home for the art in its downtown location, and decided to donate it to the charity auction.
Suzan Bates Kessel, volunteer director of the art association, said she recognizes some of the pieces Iowa State Bank is donating because quite a few were purchased from Fairfield Art Association exhibits.
“It was a wonderful way then to support the local arts community, and now a very generous gift to give back to support arts fundraising,” Kessel said.
Artwork on display include those created by local, regional and national artists, both originals and prints. Some of the names to look for on the artwork include Wendell Mohr, Stan Haring, James B. Wilson, Sue Carlson Van Ness, Larry Anderson, Patrick Costello, Gloria Kearney, Charles Peterson, P. Buckley Moss, Isa Moskowitz, Renoir, Nina Renco and others.
For more information, contact Fairfield Arts & Convention Center at info@fairfieldacc.com, or call the Fairfield Art Association at 641-919-2121.
From left, Aaron Kness, president of Iowa State Bank, and Alissa Ward, vice president of human resources and marketing at Iowa State Bank, admire the artwork that Iowa State Bank has donated to the charity art auction that will benefit the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center, represented by FACC assistant director Mendy McAdams, and the Fairfield Art Association, represented by FAA volunteer director Suzan Bates Kessel. (Andy Hallman/The Union)
This sailboat painted by former Bentonsport resident Wendell Mohr is one of 71 pieces of art up for auction at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center. (Andy Hallman/The Union)
