For people with an interest in acquiring unique artwork and supporting the Columbia Pacific Food Bank, an art auction is underway at Spilt Ink Gallery & Gifts in downtown St. Helens.
The pieces for bid are pyrographs by local artist Neta Halladay, who donated them to Columbia Pacific Food Bank to sell for the organization’s benefit. Diane Blakely is one of the owners of Spilt Ink, which is located at 289 S 1st St. in St. Helens, and she detailed how the idea of an auction came about.
“There are 11 pieces that she donated to the food bank. She wanted them sold to benefit the food bank, so they came to us and asked how we price this stuff,” Blakely said. “We came up with the idea of an auction because it lets the people decide how much they want to spend.”
Pyrography is the art of decorating wood or other materials with burn marks from a heated object, usually a heated pen-like metal tool. Halladay draws inspiration from oriental influences and enjoys using animals in her work as well.
The pyrographs up for bid feature animals and scenes from Africa and the Orient, and the range price of the minimum bid is $40 for the smaller pieces, $60 for medium pieces, and $80 for the larger works. Blakely said that getting involved with the project was a way to support the food bank and share local art.
“It seemed like if we could do something that is community-oriented and the foodbank could use the support of a very generous artist who doesn’t want any part of the proceeds, why wouldn’t we do that,” Blakely asked.
The auction will officially open on May 1 and last until May 26. However, Blakely said they have already received bids on some items since posting the works in the window.
“While we were setting up the window [display], we already got four bids,” Blakely said. “People asked if it was too early, and I said, ‘It’s never too early!’ Which is terrific.”
People can place bids by going down to Spilt Ink, and placing a bid on the work they are interested in. People can see what others have bid on the work, so they know what the price to beat is. Blakely said that if people want, they can ask for a courtesy call if their bid has been upped the day before the auction is set to close so they don’t miss out on their target.
Sharing artists’ work
Spilt Ink opened in downtown St. Helens in June of 2023. Almost a year into being open, Blakely said the first year has been going pretty well. One of the visions for the business was offering artists in the area a place to share and sell their work for a low price, unlike art galleries in Portland.
“I think the thing we’re most happy with is the artists here who have been able to sell their stuff,” Blakely said. “They’ve been thrilled.”
Blakely said that artists have been happy with the opportunity to have their work not only displayed but also earn money from the art they’ve sold. Blakely said there are seven or eight local artists whose work is on display.
“The point is, they’re people who didn’t have a shot at this,” Blakely said. “And so, everybody wins!”
Spilled Ink is open from 11-5 on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays but is open until 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
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