The Library Fair Art Auction committee is hunting for art for this year’s auction. They are asking local artists and local collectors and searching the Exchange and yard sales for it.

For artists it is a chance to get exposure for their art to a wide audience and an opportunity to help the library, and that’s why every year local artists donate their work. For others, it is a chance to recycle art they are no longer interested in hanging on their walls to help the library.

“It’s a way for even poor artists to give a donation and help support their library,” Orcas artist Bill Trogdon said. “It’s just a matter of time and talent and the library is an important institution. I will be donating again this year, as I have in the past. I have to figure out what’s decent and what’s worthy of giving them. A lot of artists donate copies, but I think it should be an original piece of work.”

Other artists that have contributed in the past are Joe Floren, whose donation of ten to 15 art photographs are popular items, Marsha Spees, David Ridgeway, and auction co-chairs Sue Lamb and Glenna Richards. The donations already collected include a seaplane print by Orcas artist Frank Ludin and paintings and prints by Josie Barrow.

Not just artists donate. According to Lamb, many people donate when they redecorate their homes or when they are leaving the island.

Original paintings, prints of original paintings, art photography, mobiles, pottery, sculptures and anything three-dimensional are all needed. In past years, the auction has had about 100 pieces of art to bid on. Some of the most popular items are primitive pieces, Northwest art and art photography.

“The works will be hung in the conference room at the library for everyone to enjoy,” Lamb said. “Bidding will start as soon as it is on the walls, and continue until 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 8 at the Library Fair.”

The official art donation collection date is July 18 at the library, but art will be accepted before and after that date. Last year the auction raised $4000 and the year before that they raised $7000. Lamb hopes to collect somewhere in between this year.

“100 percent of what we collect goes to the library for the lecture series, books and other expenses,” Lamb said.