Raising funds for the arts

Lori Hammelman
Posted 10/18/18

The Daniel and Stephanie Williams Fund for the Arts continues to grow following Thursday evening’s first ever live and silent auction fundraiser, hosted by the Artists’ Garden in Rochelle.

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Raising funds for the arts

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ROCHELLE — The Daniel and Stephanie Williams Fund for the Arts continues to grow following Thursday evening’s first ever live and silent auction fundraiser, hosted by the Artists’ Garden in Rochelle.

The local couple created the donor advised fund through the Rochelle Area Community Foundation with the purpose of providing future grants to further the arts in the Rochelle area.

Friends, family and the community attended the auction in a large showing of support, helping to raise over $3,000.

“Stephanie and I are thrilled and overjoyed with the amount of support the community showed us at our first annual art sale,” said Danny. “We couldn’t have been happier with the attendance and participation. The event was a huge success thanks to the help of our friends, family and several businesses who supported us through donations and their volunteer work.”

Adding, “We’re so thankful that so many people came out to reinvest in their own community by supporting this fundraiser.”

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The idea for the art fund in their name stems from the desire to give back to the community, combined with the passion they share for the arts.

Danny reflected on a conversation with local artist Fran Volz, who has done several snow and straw sculptures and most recently the Marilyn Monroe mural downtown.  Danny said Volz had ideas to work on a bronze sculpture, referring to the town of Oregon that already has several, with hopes to start something similar in Rochelle.

The couple began discussions with others in the community about bringing more art to the area. Samantha Barkus, owner of Sunshine Bakery, has donated proceeds from the Monday Morning Treats program where offices can order pastries and coffee. They have also done several customized portrait packages to get the fund started.

“After we started talking about it, we realized the community wants it and they have been so supportive of it,” Stephanie said. “We set out with a goal to raise $1,000 each year for three years and we’ve been reaching that…it has been received well, it’s been amazing.”

As an acorn fund, the Williams intend to continue fundraising and once the $10,000 goal is reached the Fund for the Arts, through RACF, will help fund permanent art displays.

“Every year, once the fund has the $10,000 principal balance, there will be an opportunity to fund something new. We hope and envision in 25 or 30 years this is still going strong and for years to come that we can bring more and more art to Rochelle. We want this to be our legacy and something our kids and their kids will continue with,” Stephanie said.

The live auction featured 10 pieces of Danny’s portraits displayed in both canvas and prints ranging in size. Several of the portraits capture the local scenery, including an area near the Rochelle Conservation Club and the countryside. Others the couple chose had special meaning or significance.

Both Stephanie and Danny expressed gratitude to Kim Montgomery, RACF Executive Director.

“Kim has been instrumental in all of this…explaining the donor-advised funds, how it all works and sharing in the excitement of it all,” Danny said. “She has such a passion for the Community Foundation and what it is all about.”

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