Student Art Featured at Food for Thought Benefit

Esther Doss with her watercolor, pen and ink “Mermaid” currently showing at the Student Art Show at Orcas Center.

…as well as brisket, a band and a bus!

By Madie Murray

Some of the finest art comes from young minds and hearts, and the Food for Thought Benefit on May 26 will have some of the best available for you to own.

This year, the Orcas Island Education Foundation’s major fundraiser for our public schools is a “Picnic By The Sea” at Four Winds Camp.  Tickets are only $40 per person or $75 per couple. Enjoy great barbequed brisket, hamburgers, veggie options, all the delicious sides, and desserts.  Beer, wine and lemonade will be available and toe-tapping music provided by the incomparable JP and the OK Rhythm Boys.

Your ticket includes free childcare at the Camp during the picnic if you need it, and a free ride!   If you don’t want to drive, a school bus will be waiting for you in front of the school at 5:30 p.m. so you don’t have to spend gas to get there…just leave the driving to us!  The event starts at 6 and the bus will take you back to the school on or before 9 p.m.

Emma Minnis artfully creates a porcelain fish mobile

“We wanted to make it as easy, affordable and fun as possible this year,” says OIEF President, Janet Brownell.  “We also want everyone to see what amazing things our public school students create.”

Many of the student creations available to purchase with donations to OIEF are currently being shown at the Orcas Center in the Student Art Exhibit.  Also, noted Island artists are contributing their time working with several classrooms to create ocean-inspired artifacts for the event.  There will be paddle raises to benefit school programs.

“Our school is facing the most severe cutbacks created by the lack of government funding it has ever had to endure.  OIEF is committed to maintaining the excellent programs our schools offer, and the funds we raise at this event is a huge part of our committed dollars to make it happen,” says Brownell.

• Tickets may be purchased online at www.oief.org/events.html, at Darvill’s or at the Elementary School office. 

• To reserve your seat on the bus, contact Cathy Ferran at 376-1500.