I've donated this piece to Say Si, a wonderful youth art education program here in San Antonio. You can have a chance to bid on it during their exhibit and auction. Maybe you'd like to make a bid? The piece is called Handwriting, and was printed and stitched in 2011. I like the play of letters and secret handprints in the pieced quilted surface.
I know that many artists today struggle with the question of donating work, feeling that it impacts their reputation and pricing negatively. I , too, get really tired of being asked for donations from organizations that I don't even belong to -- or otherwise have any connection to. Those, I courteously refuse. I also no longer donate to a couple of organizations who never acknowledged a previous donation.
I do donate to a few art-related organizations, and trust that those who purchase art at such events appreciate my work and are willing to pay what is possible and reasonable. Not every collector has bottomless pockets (well, none really do..) and donations from artists not only help a good cause, but also allow young collectors to get their start. As a former employee of several non-profit organizations, I know how difficult it is to make the payroll, and fundraisers, well-done, are one of the only income sources that can go toward operating expenses. And, as a productive artist, I would rather have my art on someone's wall than gathering dust on a shelf in my studio. Some organizations, like Celebration Circle, also give a portion of the purchase price back to the artist -- that's admirable, too. And for Celebration Circle, particularly, it makes abundant sense, since the organization is focused on the spiritual connection of art and artists -- its Altar show each late summer is anticipated by many.
When asked for donations, I sometimes offer a service, a workshop discount or a scholarship -- those donations are less tied to my work and more to my business as a teacher. What do you think? Who do you donate to? And what?