SARASOTA/BRADENTON, FL – Goodwill Manasota is partnering with Art Center Sarasota for the fourth annual MASHterpieces art exhibition, this year pitting 10 area businesses against one another to show the ways they are reducing their carbon footprint and helping to protect the environment. The exhibit will run from May 25 – June 30, 2017 at Art Center Sarasota (707 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota); proceeds from the auction of the pieces will benefit both organizations.
The auction reception, at which community members can bid on the resulting works of art, takes place on Thursday, June 8, 6-8 p.m. at the Art Center. This event is free and open to the public.
“We are excited about continuing this partnership with Goodwill Manasota. This year we are inviting local businesses to show the community the ways in which they are working to be good stewards of the environment,” said Art Center Sarasota executive director Lisa Berger. “Challenging businesses to use teamwork to create a piece of re-purposed art is something that has not been done before. I am looking forward to seeing the results and the excitement the pieces will stir up in the bidding as they are auctioned off this year at the reception.”
The participating companies, who will contribute $500 to Goodwill to participate in and sponsor the event, will be given a voucher to go into a Goodwill Bargain Barn and select up to five items. Teams can also use as many recycled items from their offices as they like. An artist advisor will be provided to offer suggestions and expertise in the conception and creation of the artwork. The estimated 10,000 visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to vote ($1 donation per vote) for their favorite piece; awards will be given based on the voting results.
“Goodwill is always seeking new, innovative and mutually beneficial ways to partner with area businesses. Numerous studies have proven that consumers prefer to do business with companies that share their values; MASHterpieces offers our business partners a chance to showcase their corporate social responsibility while taking part in a unique team-building exercise and supporting two great local nonprofits,” said Goodwill Manasota vice president Veronica Brandon Miller. “Goodwill is a pioneer of the reduce, reuse, recycle movement – this effort aligns with our green operations beautifully. Our partnership with the Art Center has been fun and financially beneficial, and supports our mission to move toward zero waste.”
During the 2016 MASHterpieces exhibit, artwork was purchased for amounts between $35 and $1,200, raising a total of $1,500 for the organizations. For more information, please call Goodwill at (941) 355-2721 or the Art Center at (941) 365-2032.
About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With the sales of donated goods and philanthropic donations, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to employment by providing job skills training and employment opportunities. In 2016, Goodwill Manasota served 28,207 people, placed 755 people in jobs and assisted 240 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce. Goodwill Manasota’s economic impact back to the community is worth $92.1 million. Goodwill is one of the pioneers of the reduce-reuse-recycle movement and this past year diverted more than 40 million pounds out of the landfill. We accomplish our mission through a network of Good Neighbor Centers in Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee and DeSoto counties and our Mission Development Services (MDS) around North America. Goodwill Manasota is accountable to a local Board of Directors. Goodwill Manasota, in essence, belongs to this community and is not owned by any individual or company. For more information, visit www.experiencegoodwill.org.