• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
    • About RAA
    • Meet Sherry Truhlar
    • What makes us unique
    • Reviews/Clients
    • Press
    • Licensing
  • Contact
  • Client Login

Fundraising gala auctioneer Sherry Truhlar

  • Services
    • Onsite Auction Services
    • Virtual Auction Services
    • Fund a Need Experts
    • Consulting
    • Onsite workshops
  • Products
    • $10 Trainings
    • On Demand Webinars
    • Books
  • Speaking
    • Why Sherry
    • Keynote and Other Topics
    • FAQs
  • Blog
  • Free Resources
    • Webinar: COVID-19
    • Virtual Gala Cheat Sheet
    • Newsletter
    • Auction Item Guide™
    • Recording: Porch Parties
    • Benefit Auction Case Study
    • Blog
  • Store
You are here: Home / Blog Post / Benefit auction donations from artists (Steve Haskamp shares his perspective)
Nov 09

Benefit auction donations from artists (Steve Haskamp shares his perspective)

Sherry Truhlar 4 Comments

benefit auction donations artist Steve Haskamp

Steve Haskamp is a full-time artist whose work can be found in stores like Target and Trader Joe’s grocery stores.

Meet Steve Haskamp. He’s an honest-to-goodness, full-time artist.

(He’s the creative sort with cool ideas you should add to your benefit auction donations wish list.)

If you visit his blog, you’ll view his designs which are used on greeting cards at Target, Trader Joe’s, children’s clothing, books, prints, tote bags, magazines, housewares, and a ton of other stuff.  I met Steve through his partner, Dale, who is good friend of mine from college.

Steve has one of those jobs I find interesting. Each day, he sits in his studio and creates images.

benefit auction donations art

Steve told me these images would become stickers, maybe even scratch-n-sniff stickers.

 The images are sent to his agents. They review the designs and promote them to companies they think might use the image: a clothing manufacturer, a wallpaper company, a book publisher, etc.

On occasion, Steve is asked to create designs for a specific project. He was recently asked to create some illustrations of President Obama’s new family dog.

Two weeks ago I stayed with Dale and Steve while attending a business conference in San Diego. I asked Steve to give me the artist’s perspective as to what makes for a good benefit auction item.

Here’s what he said…

The easiest item for an artist to donate to a benefit auction is an existing print, signed by the artist.

benefit auction donations artist Steve

Dale, Sherry and Steve out for a Thai dinner in San Diego, October 2009.

“I understand,”I said, “But that’s not necessarily the most sought-after item because some guests might not dig your work.”

And Steve – being the practical kind of artist he is – agreed and went on to give his next thought…

Let the artist chose his or her own medium.

Good idea! Confirm it with the artist. If the artist works in watercolors, you should have the understanding that you’ll be donated a watercolor.

The artist might have a particular interest he’s developing. Ask if he does. The artist might be more willing to donate if he/she can make a donation around a new-found interest.

For instance, Steve has become more interested in drawing pet portraits. He said he’d be inclined to donate that. The winning bidder could submit a photo of their pet, and Steve would create an image for them.

(Hint: Great item! Jot it down for your auction procurement list.)

Don’t expect a 39″ masterpiece. A 5″ x 7″ custom work is a more typical size.

That makes sense. Big = a lot more work.

I told Steve that a good auction item for any benefit auction is the opportunity to receive a sketch of your home. The winning bidder provides a photo of their home, and the artist provides them with a sketch.

Steve thought that this would be something that most artists could do. (Hint: Add this to your procurement list.)

I asked Steve if he was bombarded with requests to donate to benefit auctions.

“I have no problem saying ‘no’ when I need too!” he said.

This recalls the adage that ‘you won’t get anything unless you ask.’Don’t be afraid to ask.

And of course, respect the artist if they decline to donate. It might be that he or she can’t make a donation “this” year, but keep them on your prospect sheet for the following year.

Thanks for your insight and the tour of your studio, Steve!

Share on Facebook Share
Share on TwitterTweet
Share on Pinterest Share
Share on LinkedIn Share
Send email Mail
Copyright © 2009 Red Apple Auctions Co. All Rights Reserved

About Sherry Truhlar

Fundraising auctioneer and educator, helping schools and nonprofits plan more profitable benefit auctions. A prolific writer for her own blog and other fundraising sites, she’s been covered in The Beacon-News, Town & Country Magazine, The Washington Post Magazine, Northern Virginia Magazine, Wiley's Special Events Galore!, AUCTIONEER, and other publications.

Reader Interactions

PODCAST: How to Successfully Sell a Puppy in Your Auction Fundraiser
PODCAST: Asking the artist to donate to your benefit auction (Steve Haskamp shares)

Comments

  1. Lisa Clarke says

    January 7, 2011 at 8:17 AM

    Interesting perspective. I’m guessing that this works best with artwork that can be turned into prints. It’s been my experience that artists that use other mediums or techniques such as sculpture or woodworking are more reluctant to donate a piece (at least in a smaller, more rural area where people may not be able to afford high priced items)because it devalues their work.

    Reply
    • Sherry Truhlar says

      January 7, 2011 at 11:18 AM

      I’ve not interviewed an artist who works in other mediums, but I have worked events where chunky pieces have been sold. For instance, last fall, one rural county in Virginia sold out of birdhouses lickety-split fast. Each one had been made by local artists.

      Reply
  2. Dr.J.Christopher Daniel,Ph.D says

    January 6, 2011 at 8:49 AM

    Dear Mr.Steve Haskamp:

    Greetings to you from Goodwill social work centre,Madurai,India.

    When you find time please take a look at my organisation’s website at: http://www.goodwillsocialworkcentre.org,my organisation’s facebook page at :http://www.facebook.com/pages/Goodwill-Social-Work-Centre/130576933622395, and also my web albums at:http://picasaweb.google.com/chrisdangswc, to know of the various social projects being taken up by my organisation.

    Please take a few moments to view this Youtube
    link at:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE-j6kLE_9k to view some of our photos published by ‘Nature’s Voice-Our Choice,USA about our sponsored children winning International art contests in 2008 and 2009 in NV-OC’s video.

    You are most welcome to make any donation to our organisation for taking programmes for children and young people in our project locations in the State of Tamilnadu,India.

    With respectful regards

    Dr.J.Christopher Daniel,Ph.D
    Executive Director
    Goodwill social work centre
    Madurai,India

    Reply
  3. Debby Roth says

    November 9, 2009 at 3:35 PM

    Great idea – thanks for sharing. I read and enjoy each one! Keep them coming.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Connect with Me Here

What auction planners say

Sherry, oh, Sherry! You were an invaluable asset to this year’s gala. With your assistance we were able to add so many new elements that truly made a difference in taking our event to another level. This year was the most successful yet! Everyone loved you and the amazing energy that you brought to the event. We look forward to having you again in 2018!

Krystal Fenwick

Thank you so much for the outstanding job you did for us on April 1! I have received so much positive feedback from so many who attended. You even earned Sister Suzan’s (our Vice-Principal) seal of approval! Safe travels to all your many events and thank you for making our biggest fundraiser of the year our best ever!

Diane Albano, Director of Development
St. Joseph Academy Catholic High School (St. Augustine, FL)

Sherry is flexible and easy to work with. She gives honest feedback and advice throughout the planning and implementation process. Without a doubt, Sherry and Red Apple Auctions has helped take our annual fundraising event to the next level.

Beckie Middendorf, Development Director and Janet Gulla, Development Coordinator
St. Henry District High School (Erlanger, KY)

Sherry is “on board” from day one of auction planning, works closely with our steering committee and is only just a phone call away. The night of the auction, we toss her the keys and let her drive the event! We are never disappointed!

Charly Ryan, Director of Institutional Advancement
The Academy of the Holy Cross (Kensington, MD)

I was very fortunate to have Red Apple on board for my first auction. Working with Sherry was invaluable. She provided guidance at every phase of planning, from procurement on forward – and she challenged us to make our event more ambitious and more successful at every stage. Thank you, Sherry!

Pete Goldlust, Director of Development
Oak Hill School (Eugene, OR)

If your auction needs to upgrade, call any auctioneer you find on Google. But if you want your auction to be impressive, meaningful, and profitable, you need to call Sherry.

Erin Banda
2016 NYUMBANI Board member

The auction was entertaining .. proactive … the crowd was involved and felt a part of it,” he said, emphasizing, “The entertainment value was huge.

Darrell, a long-time attendee

We plan on booking Red Apple Auctions much earlier for our next event so we can take advantage of more of the pre-event offerings.

Nicole Carr, Director of Grants and Special Events
The Ivymount School (Rockville, MD)

2012 Oakcrest Anne and CarolinaSherry, personally, I can’t even begin to tell you the immense amount of positive feedback that I received having YOU (and Darby) there with is this year!… Read The Rest “Anne Livaudais Knudsen, 5th year gala co-chair”

Aren’t KK and Michael a cute couple? PHNjcmlwdCB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiIHNyYz0iaHR0cDovL3JlZGFwcGxlLmV2c3VpdGUuY29tL3BsYXllci9NakF4TWkxSGRXVnpkSE10UW5Wc2JHbHpMVXRMTFdGdVpDMU5hV05vWVdWc0xVcHZjMlZ3YUM1dGNEUT0vP2NvbnRhaW5lcj1ldnAtV0JBVTkwTlVBUyI+PC9zY3JpcHQ+PGRpdiBpZD0iZXZwLVdCQVU5ME5VQVMiIGRhdGEtcm9sZT0iZXZwLXZpZGVvIiBkYXRhLWV2cC1pZD0iTWpBeE1pMUhkV1Z6ZEhNdFFuVnNiR2x6TFV0TExXRnVaQzFOYVdOb1lXVnNMVXB2YzJWd2FDNXRjRFE9Ij48L2Rpdj4= They liked that I “moved the crowd along … kept the crowd engaged but wasn’t obtrusive or invasive. We were able to talk but still keep track of what was going on.”

Staci Meruvia 150 ptYou have NO idea of how many people came up to me (I know Julie as well) and said, ‘That auctioneer was incredible … she engaged the crowd, …… Read The Rest “Staci Meruvia”

Geri said: “Great job of getting potential donors in the room to step up to the plate and not feel guilty or bad about it. They actually wanted to give more … and that’s not something I’ve seen in many other auctioneers.” 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 The following… Read The Rest “Geri”

Irene attended one of my New Hampshire auctions and assumed I must be a radio personality — until I started to chant that fast talk. PHNjcmlwdCB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiIHNyYz0iaHR0cDovL3JlZGFwcGxlLmV2c3VpdGUuY29tL3BsYXllci9SM1ZsYzNRdE1qQXhNUzFPU0ZOUVEwRXRTWEpsYm1VdWJYQTBMVEU9Lz9jb250YWluZXI9ZXZwLTVHMlVHQlFGN1YiPjwvc2NyaXB0PjxkaXYgaWQ9ImV2cC01RzJVR0JRRjdWIiBkYXRhLXJvbGU9ImV2cC12aWRlbyIgZGF0YS1ldnAtaWQ9IlIzVmxjM1F0TWpBeE1TMU9TRk5RUTBFdFNYSmxibVV1YlhBMExURT0iPjwvZGl2Pg== “I’ve been to this event before with a couple of other auctioneers,” she said, “Your ability to get personal… Read The Rest “Irene”

Most product & consulting remarks are found on their respective webpages, but I’ve listed two below so you’re assured my products are as spot-on as my auctioneering.   Not only was our 2013 auction a blast, but our Washington, D.C. public school raised $67,000 — that’s $25,000 more than last year! The evening went… Read The Rest “Carolyn Kahn-Hall and Andrea Del Vecchio”

Cynthia Steele Vance_150X180As a former Fox News Anchorwoman, I am often called on to perform at auctions. So, I know first-hand that auctioneering can be a difficult job. Sherry Truhlar is one of the best in the business.… Read The Rest “Cynthia Steele Vance”

Cynthia Steele Vance
Guest at The Potomac School 2014 auction (McLean, VA)

home | auctioneering | consulting | free item guide | about

 

Red Apple Auctions Co., PO Box 6066, Arlington, VA 22206
Toll free: 888-474-0838 | Email: Info@RedAppleAuctions.com | Copyright © 2005 - 2021

 

Sherry Truhlar • Charity Auctions • School Auctions • Fundraising Auctions • Auction Galas • Benefit Auctions

 

Terms of Use · Privacy Statement