Scion Installation 5: Self Portrait – Final Show & Online Art Auction Trailer from Scion ART on Vimeo.
SCION LAUNCHES “INSTALLATION 5 TOUR: SELF PORTRAITS” ONLINE AUCTION ON ARTNET.COM TO BENEFIT CREATIVE CAPITAL SEPT. 12 THROUGH SEPT. 30

Collection Features Self Portraits From International Contemporary Artists, Including Blek le Rat, Mark Mothersbaugh, David Choe, Ron English, Jeff Soto, Angela Boatwright, Among Many Others

For the fifth year, Scion auctions off an unprecedented collection of contemporary works to benefit charities and
non-profits that support independent artistic expression.  The Installation 5 Tour collection features literal and non-literal self-portraits of varying cost by international art luminaries, with 100 percent of the proceeds aiding Creative Capital, the premier national artist support organization (www.creativecapital.org).  Audiences around the world can bid online at ArtNet: http://www.ArtNet.com/scion.html.  The auction closes on Sept. 30. Artwork values range from $100 to $17,000 and bidding will begin at 25% of the art’s estimated worth.

“It is an absolute honor to work with these incredible artists in support of visionary arts non-profit organizations,” says Jeri Yoshizu, Scion sales and promotion manager.  “Since we launched the Installation Tour in 2003, we’ve raised more than $190,000 for art-related charities and look forward to continuing our support of exciting and impactful contemporary art.”

About Creative Capital

Founded in January 1999, Creative Capital Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that supports individual artists pursuing innovative approaches to form and content in the fields of performing, visual, literary, and media arts, as well as in emerging arts fields. Creative Capital evolved as a response by philanthropists, arts professionals, artists, and business leaders to government cuts in funding to individual artists. Its model differs from those of traditional grantmakers in that the foundation commits to a long-term approach to working with artists. Artists in Creative Capital’s grant program have access to professional services, including assistance in fundraising, networking, marketing, and strategic planning. In addition, grantees agree to share with Creative Capital a small percentage of any profits made by the project.

Creative Capital Foundation has supported 325 projects, representing 411 artists in their first ten years. For more information on the funded projects and for the latest on the foundation’s activities, visit www.creative-capital.org.

Oxfam America is an international relief and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice. Together with individuals and local groups in more than 120 countries, Oxfam saves lives, helps people overcome poverty, and fights for social justice.

Please help support their amazing work by considering Oxfam Unwrapped this holiday season – especially for those ‘hard to buy for’ folks we all know!
www.oxfamamericaunwrapped.com

Bloggers/Webmasters please also consider donating a portion of your ad space to Oxfam by posting up one of the banners you can find here:
http://www.oxfamamerica.org/whatyoucando/act_now/banners

And of course if you can post the below info on Oxfam Unwrapped, that would be much appreciated.

Artists, if you would like to help support Oxfam and become an ally, feel free to contact me to discuss ideas.

This Season’s Hottest Gifts – Unexpected items that do good for under $50

BOSTON, MA – December 1, 2008 – Sheep, trees, books for kids, and other gifts that keep on giving are best-selling holiday gifts as Oxfam America Unwrapped goes into its third season. OxfamAmericaUnwrapped.com offers unexpected and economical gifts that make a difference. Proceeds from these symbolic gifts go to fund Oxfam America’s efforts to create lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice in more than 120 countries.

At prices that won’t break the bank, these top selling items under $50 are just what Santa ordered:
•    Sheep ($45): Raising these fleecy critters allows women to create their own income and to make local textiles.
•    Plant 50 trees ($30): Trees produce life-sustaining crops like avocados and bananas, and they also prevent soil erosion—a key to economic growth and a greener world.
•    Books for kids ($18): Your gift will provide children with books on a wide range of topics from agriculture to peace-building. By helping someone open a book, you can open a mind, too.
•    Water jugs ($18): Benefit not one but three families by providing each with a stout water jug. For a family lacking a safe water container, one of these sturdy jugs provides the means to store and transport clean drinking water safely.

“These gifts reflect Oxfam America’s work around the world to promote ways to make a living, provide emergency relief, and improve nutrition,” said Stephanie Kurzina, vice president of fundraising for Oxfam America. “It’s easy to do good even on a budget.”

It’s quite simple: shoppers choose the gift and personalize a card online, their friend or loved one receives a card in the mail, and the gift goes to those who need it most. All gift contributions are general donations to Oxfam America and are fully tax deductible.

Forget braving the malls or fighting the mid-winter chill. Oxfam America Unwrapped lets you shop from the convenience of your couch through its online alternative gift catalog: OxfamAmericaUnwrapped.com. Relax with a cup of warm cocoa and pick from the hottest gifts this season. Click, click, done, and you can feel good about helping those who need it most.

Go to OxfamAmericaUnwrapped.com to view all 57 items in the catalog.

Oxfam America is an international relief and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice. Oxfam saves lives, helps people overcome poverty, and fights for social justice. To learn more, go to www.oxfamamerica.org.