John Atkins holds up his artwork for display at this year’s Bad Art by Good People fundraiser.
Photo sent
A popular local fundraiser that supports the local arts is back this year.
Polls are now open for the 12th annual Bad Art by Good People fundraiser presented by the Arts Council of Champaign County (CCAC).
The contest features non-artist “celebrities” who create artwork and campaign for public votes for their artwork.
This year’s local artists include John Atkins, retired funeral director; Nicole Blumhardt, The Peoples Savings Bank; Marcia Hiltibran, Crabill’s; David Hoskins, Civista Wealth Management; Kate Johnson, Carmazzi’s; Chad Lensman, Graham Local Schools; Isabelle Martin, Belle’s Flowers; Bobby McKee, Little Farm/Spotted Cow/Spotted Owl; Brad Millis, Farmers and Merchants State Bank; Jeff Morgan, Scott; Jeremiah Stocksdale, Bundy Baking Solutions; Michael Terry, Champaign County Sheriff; Patrick Trenor, Urbana City Schools and Lisa Yates, BHHS Metro & Fields Realty.
Featured today are Atkins and Blumhardt
Atkins is a retired funeral director and former co-owner with his wife, Sandra, of Richeson-Wickham and Atkins Funeral Home from 1974-2005.
Graduated in 1961 from Shawnee High School. He attended Bowling Green State University and was a 1966 graduate of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Sciences.
His organizations and affiliations include: Member of the Champaign County District Board of Health. He has served as a volunteer at Dayton Children’s Hospital for the past 11 years. and retired in 2011 as Assistant Chief of the JSP Fire District after 44 years of membership.
His interests include: Member of several local and national antique fire extinguisher associations. He has owned two aerial ladder trucks in the past and still owns one.
On his works: “One year for Christmas our kids gave us an alarm for the driveway. I had a hard time deciding where to put it so it wouldn’t be noticed. I happened to have a metal birdhouse that had plastic sides. The front can be easily removed and the alley alarm can be installed inside. I designed a stand that adjusts depending on the choice of stand, such as a tree, light pole, or pole. The alarm works 500 feet from the receiver, which has a different number of sounds to announce the arrival of a vehicle, person or animal. The birdhouse not only hides the alarm but also protects it from the weather. When I was asked to do something for CCAC, I chose this.”
Blumhard is a retail banking manager at The Peoples Savings Bank. She graduated from Urbana High School.
Her main interest is gardening.
On her artwork: “My inspiration for my art project was my love of gardening and nature. I have birdbaths and feeders set up so I can watch them from my patio on nice summer days.”
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This year’s featured artist is Carol Burnett, an American actress, comedian, singer and writer. This work was donated to the fundraiser by Urbana Daily Citizen Sports Editor Steve Stout and will be part of the dinner and auction held on Friday, May 5.
The public can vote for their favorite artwork via PayPal on the Arts Council website, www.champaigncountyartscouncil.org. You can also vote by cash, check or credit card at the Arts Council, 119 Miami St., Urbana. The office is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Watch Urbana Daily Citizen in the weeks leading up to the dinner for profiles of each artist and photos of the artists with their creations.
Dinner Auction
A limited number of tickets are available for the dinner and auction, which will be held from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Friday, May 5, at the VFW Hall, 220 East Court St. Tickets are $25 each and include a catered dinner and dessert.
“Bad Art” will be auctioned off after dinner. All proceeds will benefit the Arts Council.
Tickets are on sale at the Arts Council office and online at the Arts Council website.
The event’s gold sponsors are The V. Patrick Hamilton Group/REMAX Alliance and Patrick & Tiffany Field.
Silver Sponsor is CRSI.
Bronze sponsor is Civista Bank.
Check out the Arts Council Facebook page for information leading up to the event at www.facebook.com/CCACUrbana.
For more information, contact the Arts Council office at 937-653-7557.
Information from the Arts Council of Champaign County
Nicole Blumhard holds her artwork for display at this year’s Bad Art by Good People fundraiser.
Photo sent