By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
For the first time since 2019, the Hays Arts Council will host an art sale.
During the event, the council will capitalize on years’ worth of donations as they refill their coffers following significant costs that were accrued replacing the Hays Arts Center’s aging HVAC systems.
The event will begin with and opening from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 11, and then run during regular open hours through Aug. 17.
“It's Summer Shakedown, a new and recycled art sale,” said Hays Arts Council executive director Brenda Meder.
She said during the event pieces from “kitch to colossal” will be available.
“Every once in a while, people bring us in some nice pieces of art, or a sculpture or some nice frame decorative print,” Meder said. “Sometimes it's even more decorative items that maybe that they bought from nice, decorator designer sites, but it's not necessarily original art.”
“And so obviously, we don't throw those things away,” she continued. “So, we've ended up with a fair amount of those stored.”
As the exhibition from the Summer Art Walk ends and preparations begin for the Fall Art Walk, she said it was a great time to showcase those items in the gallery.
“We thought this is a great time to clean out some storage, to move some things around, and let people be able to get some really nice art at some really great prices,” Meder said.
And as the fiscal year is just beginning, the funds raised from the sale will help with events all year long.
“We want to keep up all the programming,” Meder said, noting annual programming for area students along with annual events like the quarterly art walks.
But after replacing two HVAC units and operating on an already relatively small budget, the sale will help ensure those events continue.
“We operate incredibly frugally, truly, as most people attest when they hear what our budget is, but it still takes money,” Meder said.
She said the council maintains reserve funds, but the cost of replacing those systems created a shortfall.
“In the last 11 months actually, we have replaced two of the HVAC units at the Arts Council,” Meder said. “Anybody who's ever done that knows what that costs. So that's caused us to tap into the reserves. And so, to ensure that either we don't need to tap into that anymore this year, or to maybe replenish some of that, certainly to shore it up and to have a good fiscal year and be responsible and sound."
And for those wishing to help with the effort, she said the arts council will be accepting donations until August 4.
“If you've got anything that you want to go ahead and kind of clean out, please let us have it,” Meder said.
Donations not sold will be securely stored by the council and is a great way to ensure pieces can continue to be enjoyed for years to come.
“Sometimes you've got like a piece of art or something lovely, that you really know is special,” Meder said. “And you still like it, but it just doesn't fit your home anymore, or you're just not using it because you've gotten other things.”
Those items make perfect donations, she said.
And the donations are tax deductible.
She said she encourages anyone with art not in use that would like to see it be used for a good cause to donate.
“We'll help find a good home while you help the home of Hays longest running art scene,” Meder said. “And so, it's like a win win all the way around.”
And for those interested in just seeing the donated items, during the sale the items will create a unique exhibition.
“It's also an exhibition because there'll be things that'll just be cool to see,” Meder said. “It's recycling at its best for things that really matter and can really bring a little spark and life and fun and color into your life.”