Inside and outside the box

The instructions were simple: take a wood box and create a piece of art.

But the results are far from plain.

This year's Orcas Island Education Foundation annual fundraiser, Food for Thought, challenged the island’s artists to “think outside the box.”

“They run the spectrum,” OIEF vice president Janet Brownell said. “Some are electrified and light up, some are abstract, and some are straightforward craft boxes. The talent on this island is amazing. All of them are so unique. Some have the whole design on the outside while others need to be opened to see treasures inside.”

Around 50 island artists, students, and teachers participated in the project.

The colorful boxes will be featured in the live and silent auction on Thursday, Nov. 19 at the Food for Thought benefit at Camp Orkila. Other live auction items include a burger basket (contains a BBQ and a $150 burger feast at a Seattle restaurant), home-made desserts each month for a year, and a sports package that includes Mariners tickets.

The night's “walking feast” of small meals will be provided by Red Rabbit Farm, Ship Bay, Doe Bay, erb’s, and three gifted amateur chefs – including Elementary/Middle School principal Kyle Freeman. The event starts at 6 p.m.

Since Nov. 4 the boxes have been displayed around Eastsound at the following business:

Aesthetica, Body Boat Blade, Bucking Doe, Chamber of Commerce, Darvill’s, Key Bank, Mary Jane Ceramics, Mia's, Moonglow Arts and Crafts, Orcas Island Community Foundation, Orcas Island Medical Center, Orcas Movement Studio, Pawki’s, San Juan Insurance, Spirit of the Northwest, The Nest, Washington Federal, Windermere Realty, and Wood's Cove. The sneak preview will be up until Nov. 17.

Brownell says OIEF doesn't have a fundraising goal for the event, although she would love to surpass last year's $20,000. The 2008 event was the first time Food for Thought had included an art auction. OIEF asked artists to decorate blank fish as their contribution.

“This is one of the most synergistic community efforts because we bring artists in who donate their time and we try to make this as accessible as possible,” she said. “It's really about celebrating the school and the community and raising some money for the public school.”

OIEF was started in the 1980s by a parent group that wanted to bring AP classes to the high school. The organization still helps fund AP courses, but also provides funding for staffing and programming and gives out scholarships to graduating seniors.

“Through OIEF, and the efforts of OIEF, the public schools have received almost $400,000 in donations from the community over the last three years,” Brownell said.

The organization is run entirely by volunteers and a board of five. Michelle Reed is the president, and has been at the helm of the upcoming benefit.

“Food for Thought originally just raised money for enrichment programs,” Reed said. “Three or four years ago we stepped it up to supplement the school budget for all students.”

Commented Brownell, “It is hard because there are so few of us, but the people we have are so fantastic. We have virtually no overheard, so 99.99 percent of donors' money goes back to school. We also track where the money goes, so we provide accountability to donors.”

Brownell hopes that a wide variety of Orcas community members come out to the event.

“This is the most important fundraiser OIEF does for the community and it's the best way to come and support the public schools. So please, please come,” she said.

Tickets

Tickets for the “Food for Thought” benefit are available at Darvill’s, the Chamber of Commerce, and the elementary school office. Tickets are $60 per person or $100 for two. Shuttles will be provided from the Orkila parking lot to the Lodge. Child Care is provided through Orcas Rec at the Funhouse. Call Orcas Rec (376-5339) to make arrangements.

Contact Islands Sounder Web site editor, Editor Colleen Armstrong at editor@islandssounder.com or (360) 376-4500.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.