The art of charity

Clad in shiny red boots and a leopard-print headband, Oreen Cohen isn't afraid to be bold.

As a UB fine arts major, she likes to experiment with unconventional materials, mixing paint with broken glass, or rubbing dirt all over her canvas. Cohen also mixes her love of art with a desire to help others, especially children.

Cohen has donated four of her own paintings, which she calls "abstract expressionist," to an upcoming auction that will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Northtowns.

"It's not hard to give up these pieces knowing that they're for the kids," Cohen said.

The auction is part of the Reverse Raffle and Auction that will be held on March 10 at the Knights of Columbus building at 755 Erie Ave. in North Tonawanda.

Those who purchase the $125 ticket for two have a chance at over $2,500 in consolation prizes, a grand prize of $5,000 and most importantly, the opportunity to bid on artwork.

The pieces are the creations of both UB students and children that attend the Boys and Girls Club. Bidders may see one of Cohen's abstract impressionist paintings hanging next to a six-year-old's playful picture of their pet.

"Patrons will get to see that the children could progress to the level of a talented art student at UB," said Sandy Battel, who works in the administrative office of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Northtowns.

Janet Weisbeck, an employee of the Center for the Arts, knew the importance of the auction, and originally proposed having the talents of UB art students help fund the creations and activities of younger children in the area.

"I ran the idea past the students and they were very excited," Weisbeck said. "They are really generous."

Battel said it can be difficult to raise unrestricted money for the clubs, and that the donation from UB's art department will aid the clubs in providing a safe place for kids to spend their time as well as give supporters of the clubs a chance to see how their money is being spent.

Students that donate their art will also have the option of being a curator at the auction, and will get to speak with the highest bidders about their artwork.

"Not only is this an opportunity to get your work out there and be seen, but you get to meet the person who buys it, get feedback, and appeal to that type of audience in your next painting," Cohen said.

Maria Delgado-Gambini, a senior art major, is also looking forward to having her work displayed at the event. This is the first time Delgado-Gambini has sold any of her art pieces and she likes the idea of presenting her work at an auction and not simply selling the work for her own benefit.

"In high school I did a lot of charity work with clubs like the National Honor Society, but in college I haven't done so much," she said. "Now I have the chance to, and that's great."

Delgado-Gambini is a little apprehensive about children seeing her artwork displayed at the auction, however. Delgado-Gamini's paintings have a cartoon-like nature that combines satire with taboo topics.

"I like to shock people," she said. "I hope the kids don't see my work and freak out. They're subjects that I can't talk about with my parents."

Although the subject matter of her paintings may be provocative, the completed effect is intended to be comical. Viewers will have the chance to question Delgado-Gambini about her inspiration for her subject matter, and perhaps share a laugh with her about it.

Despite the fact that some of the paintings may graphically depict male genitalia, the benefit is an adult event according to Battel, and the artists will be safe from the critique of children.

Cohen's approach to her paintings, which sometimes take as little as 10 minutes to complete, comes from a desire to define herself.

A recent piece depicts her feelings on suicide bombings in Israel. Its creation involved "urban exploring," a process through which Cohen collects discarded objects like metal wires and broken glass to blend with paint for an eye-catching effect.

Both women hope to apply their love for painting to a profession in the future. Cohen would love to be an art teacher for young people, while Delgado-Gambini is currently working to show her pieces with several friends at an art show in the Bronx.

They are also equally delighted for the first time their artwork will be purchased by admirers.

"Hopefully it won't be hung up in the basement," Delgado-Gambini said.