ddp gallery presents Project Feed Local, an exhibition benefiting Northwest Arkansas Food Bank andFayetteville Independent Business Alliance. Project Feed Local will be on view from Thursday, November 5th through Saturday, November 21st. An opening reception will be held First Thursday, November 5th, from 5-8pm.
Project Feed Local is a collaborative effort among ddp gallery, more than 50 regional artists, University of Arkansas ceramics artists, Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, Tyson Foods, Inc. and Fayetteville Independent Business Alliance. “This exhibition helps two causes - hunger and local, independent businesses,” stated gallerist, Dede Peters. She recently saw an exhibition of works that looked like they were created on kraft paper and thought an exhibition of artwork on grocery bags would make for an excellent fundraiser. “At the time I saw these works, I had just started following Ed Nicholson, Tyson’s Director of Community and Public Relations, on Twitter and he was posting a lot of interesting information on hunger. I was already a Facebook friend with him, so I sent a message asking him advice on which local food bank would benefit from an arts fundraiser. He suggested the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank and also replied that Tyson would gladly match any financial contributions with a donation of food. Needless to say, getting the promise of help from one of the largest corporations in the world inspired me make this a serious effort.” Peters looked to her gallery artists, creative professionals and patrons who she knew had talent and asked for their help. Each completed artwork is made from a grocery bag will be $60, of that $40 goes to the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, $10 goes to the artist and $10 goes to the gallery. The NWA Food Bank serves over 100,000 people each year and will distribute over 4 million pounds of food, this year alone. When giving out the information about the fundraiser, she discovered that several artists had used food banks in their lives, “so the patron buying the bag art will have the opportunity to contribute more to the artist and to the Food Bank.” Tyson is matching 5 pounds of food for every dollar raised. “I hope to raise a minimum of $2,000 – that equals 10,000 pounds of food; but Tyson will donate up to 35,000 pounds. And that would be amazing.”
The other component of the exhibition benefits The Fayetteville Independent Business Alliance (FIBA). Liz Slape, co-founder of the one-year old Alliance knew she needed better “Keep Fayetteville Funky” mugs to help promote the mission. She looked to ddp gallery for guidance in marketing locally made ceramics. Peters suggested turning to Jeannie Hulen and Amanda Salov, both professors of ceramics for the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Hulen and Salov recruited students and friends to create unique ceramic cups utilizing the “Keep Fayetteville Funky” slogan. A broad selection of ceramic mugs will be available at ddp gallery through the end of the year. Afterwards, the pottery will be available at Fayetteville’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. The artists will receive half the profits while the remaining profits will be divided among ddp gallery, FIBA, and the Visitor’s Bureau.
ddp gallery is located at 7 East Mountain Street, just off Fayetteville’s Historic Downtown Square. The gallery is open Wednesday-Friday, 12-7, Saturday, 10-5 and by appointment.
