YEAH, I HELPED CREATE THAT!: A Public Art Display with Ceramic Artist Dave Flach 

Artwork: FREE SERIES' "PURPLE BOX WITH DAISIES"

Dave Flach's “FREE” series is a celebration of the moment that you break free—free from the confines of mental illness; free from addiction; free from fear, negative self image or other challenges and obstacles that prevent you from living your best life. Living with these fears and obstacles can make one feel disconnected from the outside world, alone and in the dark. We wait for someone to rescue us, and often they don’t. So, we spend countless hours trying to convince ourselves that we’re comfortable alone and in the dark. But we are not. One day a realization strikes that there is only one way out. Only we can break free from our own box. We gather our insight, courage, and the strength that we possess to change. And we break free.

Each piece is unique, as every situation and every person is unique. But we are all similar, living the human experience. One of the boxes has exploded, showing the moment of exaltation and liberation from the challenge and fear that held that person back. My hope and intention are that people who view this piece gain inspiration and garner the strength to break free. I’d also like people viewing this piece to realize and understand that they are not alone. That each of us has obstacles and challenges that we face. Hopefully, we can learn to have more empathy and compassion for each other, and to help each other to have the strength to break free.

Art Experience: A Day (or Two) with Artist Dave Flach

In addition to Dave's "Purple Box with Daisies," the winner of this auction item will have the chance to become a ceramic artist for a day with this full immersion artistic experience! Dave is currently creating large scale public art installations from the “FREE” series for municipalities around the country. Working with Dave, you will create - from the first step through the last - a single crate that will go into one of these multi-piece installations. Once installed, Dave will send you pictures of the installation highlighting your contribution. This is a two-part interactive ceramics lesson and art production session. Dave will guide you through the entire process and work with you at a level and pace that is comfortable for you. During session one, you will roll slabs, add texture, color wood grain, cut out pieces, assemble, add detail and clean up. Then, after several days of drying time and the first firing, you will return for session two to stencil graphics, airbrush details, prepare for final firing.

As part of this package, you will also enjoy lunch for 3 provided by Southside Deli at Dave's in-home studio!

AUGMENTED REALITY AND THE HUMAN MIND: Artwork and Exploration with a Savant

Artwork: "THE HUMPTY SERIES"

Diana de Avila's “Humpty Series” - comprised of “Humpty Found Art,” “Reconstructing Humpty,” and “Rewiring Humpty’s Brain” - is an intimate and visually striking reflection of her journey through traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the emergence of savantism. These pieces translate her neurological transformation into bold, abstract compositions, each layered with symbolism, fractured forms, and vibrant motion.

“Humpty Found Art” embraces the chaos of deconstruction, capturing the disarray and unexpected beauty that emerged from the rewiring of her brain. “Reconstructing Humpty” delves into the process of rebuilding - of piecing together what was lost while discovering something entirely new. “Rewiring Humpty’s Brain” is an intricate dance of interconnected pathways, neurons firing in newfound directions, and a mind forced to create new circuits and functions.

Augmented reality (AR) takes this series beyond the static canvas, bringing the art to life through motion. With AR, these pieces become immersive experiences - lines pulse, neural pathways light up, and the eye in “Reconstructing Humpty” shifts its gaze, echoing the constant evolution of the artist's brain. The integration of AR allows viewers to step into Diana's experience, witnessing not only the fractured, reconstructed, and rewired self but also the dynamic energy of a mind that never stops adapting and expanding.

Art Experience: Art Comes to Life in Your Living Room

As the winning bidder for Diana's experience, you get to choose ONE of Diana's works from the Humpty Series. Then, prepare for a journey of the mind, as Diana (one of only 100 savants in the world!) uses augmented reality to program your auction winning piece with a special personal touch (i.e., a family portrait, your signature, a special token) that you, your friends, and family will never forget. You have to see how augmented reality works at Arts & Minds to really appreciate how incredible this experience is!

As part of Diana's experience, you will also receive a signed copy of her book and a one-hour Zoom meeting to ask questions and learn what the world looks like through the eyes of a savant who experiences color and images through taste and touch, not just vision.

WINE AND WATERCOLORS: Art and an Art Experience

Artwork: “POINTS OF LIGHT”

Multi-award winner Janice Newman is offering her original painting “Points of Light” (Acrylic, 24” x 30”). This artwork was inspired by a kayaking trip through the mangroves and a rare sighting of fireflies here in Sarasota. In an interesting twist, this magical painting can also be hung vertically. Now, it presents an entirely different view of the shimmering reflections of a sunset on the water. Janice’s vibrant use of color and light in this beautiful piece brings hope that even in the darkest times, we can find, and even be, points of light for others.

Art Experience: Wine & Cheese In-home Watercolor Class for Six 

In addition to her original painting “Points of Light," Janice will come to your home (or clubhouse) and offer a lively and entertaining hands-on watercolor class for up to six people. Wine and cheese will be provided, as well as all art supplies. Guests will get to play with a variety of fun and unusual watercolor techniques. In addition, they will leave with their own set of watercolor paints and a finished watercolor painting they created!

NO SPECIAL TALENT OR ART EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED. Everyone will leave happy and inspired!

FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY & DINNER FOR FOUR: Art and Art Experience

Artwork: "FINE ART PHOTOS CELEBRATING THE GLOBAL EXPERIENCE"

Karen Arango is a Sarasota-based multimedia journalist commissioned by several local and national magazines and organizations, including San Francisco Chronicle, Your Observer, Sarasota Magazine, The Community Foundation of Sarasota, Manatee Community Foundation, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, United Way Suncoast, Goodwill Manasota, and Ringling College of Art and Design. Her work focuses on collaborating with non-profits to create visual stories that promote awareness of the community's social needs. Karen earned a Digital Journalism Master's degree from the University of South Florida, a Photography and Imaging Bachelor's degree from Ringling College of Art and Design, and a photography certificate from the International Center of Photography. 

Karen is mainly interested in adopting her visual skills to impact her community positively. Gulf Coast Community Foundation sponsored Karen's solo photography show, “Rearview Mirror / El Retrovisor,” which told stories to promote awareness about mental health in the Sarasota Hispanic community. "Daring to Live," the shot of Venezuelan immigrant Geraldine Pereira emerging from water, is one of the photos from that award-winning show. The two desert shots were taken during Arango's trip to the Sahara in 2023. One captures her experience high above the desert floor during a balloon ride outside of Marrakesh, while the other captures a rare moment of relief from the heat during sunrise in the Sahara.

Art Experience: Photo Portrait Session & Dinner for Four at Mattison's 41

The winner of Karen's art package will receive their choice of ONE of Karen's three framed fine art photos on display, plus an exclusive photo portrait session for an individual, couple, or family. You will be able to determine the date and time for the session with Karen.

Thanks to generous support from Mattison's, the winning bidder will also receive an exclusive dinner for 4 at Mattison's 41!

FACES OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE: Using Art to Discover the Beauty Within

Artwork: "THEN TO NOW, SELF PORTRAIT 2015-2025"

Began in 2015, Lenny Hoffman's "Then to Now, Self Portrait 2015-2025" began as one of the more experimental of a series of self portraits done in a dark time in his life. Due to mental health challenges, life seemed rotten and art was one of the few things that made him happy, but the hardship shows on his face. The experimental part of the painting was that large parts of canvas were left bare, leaving it appearing unfinished.

In 2025, after meeting with his psychiatrist where she encouraged him to continue painting and creating, Lenny went back to this painting and added several layers of paint, updating the style while maintaining the original work. He also added a little phrase describing how he got from then to now - by taking one day at a time to grow and love. Now Lenny lives with hope and love in his life, and he feels this painting reflects that bridge from then to now.

Art Experience with Lenny (and Natasha, his wife): Plein Aire & Painting on Sarasota Bay
There is a great tradition of painting in the moment, capturing the life and experience as it happens. The phrase is “plein aire” - and it means painting outside, looking directly at nature. Lenny and his wife, Natasha, will take you on a little adventure to paint some of the beauty of Sarasota. They will bring easels, canvas, paint, and some light refreshments, as you paint the Ringling Bridge in Sarasota. All you have to do is show up and be ready to try something new! Lenny will be there, to converse, give advice and encouragement, and help if necessary. You get to leave with your own plein aire painting and a renewed sense of being in the moment. Love and be loved!

Included in this package is a French gourmet picnic with wine generously provided by Morton's Gourmet Market!