by Richard Prior
Staff Writer
Cynthia Liebtag’s community project comes straight from the art.
As a member of the Jacksonville Jaycees, Liebtag has organized a charitable art show, titled “Give Breast Cancer the Brush Off By Helping Survivors Survive” to benefit The Donna Hicken Foundation.
The donated paintings will be sold at the Art Bar, 1261 King St. in Riverside, from 2 to 7 p.m. on June 27.
“One of the main goals of this project is to spread awareness of breast cancer itself as well as the existence of The Donna Hicken Foundation,” said Liebtag, an attorney with the law office of David L. Thompson on Farragut Place. “This project will enable the cancer-surviving women of Jacksonville to continue to live.”
Liebtag has already collected 55 works of art, mostly watercolors, oils, acrylics and prints.
“I figured that, if people weren’t able to buy an original, they could buy a print,” she said.
Another 16 to 20 paintings have also been promised. The deadline to submit contributions was moved from June 1 to June 11.
“It’s become so large it’s taken on a life of its own,” said Liebtag. “Even though I’ve been working on this forever, I started getting more positive feedback on the back end, not the front end. So many people wanted to help who said if they only had a little more time.
“But moving it to the 11th is really cutting it close.”
Liebtag’s inspiration for the show came from one of the last speeches given by Lisa Sheppard, past president of the Jaycees.
The speech was about “encouraging members to come forward with new projects that were close to their hearts,” she said. “I immediately knew what was close to my heart.
“Last October, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a bilateral mastectomy. She was blessed to have emotional as well as financial support during that difficult time.
“During this time, I realized that not all women in Jacksonville are as fortunate.”
The art show also will feature live piano music by attorney Lou Corbin. A planned painting demonstration has been put on hold — until a willing artist volunteers his or her skill.
The $5 entry fee to the show will make guests eligible to win goods and services donated by different businesses.
“A true benefit of this project is that the money raised from the art show will go back into the community and not get lost in a huge national organization,” Liebtag said. “By donating paintings to be sold for the benefit of The Donna Hicken Foundation, we can help women concentrate on the healing process, not the bankruptcy process.”
Angela Page, a fellow Jaycee, has been “excellent in getting businesses to donate,” Liebtag said. “She has also been instrumental in advertising the event by speaking to local organizations as well as getting posters, flyers and postcards donated.”
She has also gotten invaluable assistance from Celeste Beale at The Donna Hicken Foundation.
“This experience has been rewarding as well as challenging but has been a labor of love,” said Liebtag. “I want to personally thank the Jaycees for their support and giving me the opportunity to turn an idea into a reality.”
She has also picked up some tips on how to run next year’s second annual show.
“I’ve learned a lot through this,” she said. “There’s a lot of 20/20 hindsight of how I would do it next time.
“It’s been kind of an interesting, meandering journey putting this together. Some have been more receptive to the idea than others.
“But it’s been a great experience. I’ve met a lot of wonderful people that have been very giving and warm toward a subject that’s enabled them to give back.”
Those who are interested in donating a painting or a print should contact Liebtag at 353-2404 or [email protected] before the June 11 deadline.