As another spring season continues to blossom, Clinton City Schools is gearing up for its annual Art Auction event, a fun and creative spring fundraiser that benefits the Clinton Area Foundation for Education (CAFE) and teachers in the city school system.

The annual event, which will be held Thursday, April 28, at 6:30 p.m. at Clinton High School, celebrates the arts in the city schools while raising much needed funds for educational needs.

“All proceeds from the event are used to fund various grant requests submitted by teachers within Clinton City Schools,” said Michael Pope, president of the CAFE board.

There is a process involved in teachers receiving the grants. First the teachers write grants and present them to the CAFE board during meetings. Then the CAFE board reviews the grant applications and selects those which will be funded.

Once approved, the grants are able to fund things that cost above and beyond what the schools can afford. According to Pope, grants have been used to purchase classroom sets of Chromebooks, iPads, Kindles, End of Grade test prep guides, portable science labs, books and additional math, science and language arts needs.

“In evaluating each grant request, we seek to maximize the impact of every dollar we’ve been entrusted by focusing on grants that have a multi-year usefulness and reach a high number of students,” Pope added. “Because all money raised at the auction is invested directly back into the classrooms, it’s important that folks in this community come out, have dinner, enjoy the festivities, and know that they’re directly supporting their local students and teachers.”

In years past, the annual event was called Artsplosion and featured musical performances by students in the city’s elementary schools. According to Faith Jackson, community liaison, this year CAFE has decided to change things up a bit. The event, now called Art Auction 2016, will feature the famous art auction and the Clinton High School band will perform.

“This event is a great way for the students to showcase their talents and feel pride in themselves for being able to accomplish these beautiful pieces of art,” Jackson said.

The event will be centered around the auctioning of more than 60 pieces of high school students’ paintings, who are under the instruction of Michael Ray, art teacher. Some students will have multiple pieces in the auction.

In addition to proceeds going to CAFE, some of the funds will go into the Clinton High School art department to help fund future projects and assignments like the paintings.

“CAFE is devoted to improving and expanding the learning experience for students in this school system, and with many underfunded educational mandates and limited resources, teachers must turn to CAFE for help in meeting their educational goals,” Pope explained.

This event, according to Pope, is a great way for students to get involved in school activities.

“When kids come out and see folks enjoying the talents of fellow students, I think it encourages them to further develop their own abilities,” Pope shared. “It culminates with seeing the artwork of peers actively bid on, with that financial support directly impacting them in the classroom.”

Clinton City Schools superintendent Dr. Stuart Blount agreed.

“Art Auction 2016, is an event that Clinton High School Art students’ paintings are going to be showcased and the auctioned to the highest bidder,” Blount said. “The talent of students in the arts is phenomenal. Clinton Area Foundation for Education, also known as CAFE, is hosting this event at Clinton High School. We appreciate the community support that has historically supported the art auction, and we are looking forward to the great support from the community this year.”

CAFE is a United Way agency.

New this year, Jackson said the committee will have the ability to accept credit card payments for pieces. In the years past, only check or cash was accepted. For more information about the Art Auction, please contact Clinton City Schools at 910-592-3132.

Reach Kristy D. Carter at 910-592-8137, ext. 2588. Follow us on Twitter at @SampsonInd. Like us on Facebook.

Annual CCS fundraiser set for April 28

By Kristy D. Carter

[email protected]

Clinton High School art students MacKenzie Barker and Dayln Padgett work on their pieces that will be auctioned off during the Clinton City Schools Art Auction 2016.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_Art1.jpgClinton High School art students MacKenzie Barker and Dayln Padgett work on their pieces that will be auctioned off during the Clinton City Schools Art Auction 2016.

These pieces of art are just a sampling of what will be auctioned off during Art Auction 2016, formerly known as Artspolsion.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_Art2.jpgThese pieces of art are just a sampling of what will be auctioned off during Art Auction 2016, formerly known as Artspolsion.

Michael Ray’s Art 4 student MacKenzie Barker puts the finishing touches on her artwork.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_Art3.jpgMichael Ray’s Art 4 student MacKenzie Barker puts the finishing touches on her artwork.