How would you like to shop for unique gifts and help some Chicago-area charities out at the same time? From painted silks to digital art to jewelry and other keepsakes, there is a little bit of something for everyone online at the Virtual Art Fair. The site was started by four women that initially got involved in regular art fairs after their own form of art therapy produced too much product.
“I’m an art therapist and the four of us originally got together to talk about our problems and relax. Our form of relaxation was painting on silk scarves,” says Gail Fried, one of the four founders of the Virtual Art Fair. “We made too many scarves and decided that we needed to find a way to market and sell our art. We started to hit the art fairs and met other women artists from the Chicago-area.”
Fried says that the Virtual Art Fair has become a great community for artists – most of which are from the North Shore. It’s a great concept that gives the women a venue to sell their products and help their favorite charities at the same time. For Fried’s partners in art – the Silky Girls – it’s a great opportunity for a new business venture.
“We really got tired of schlepping our stuff to the bazaars and art fests,” says Fried. “We met so many artists that we loved that felt the same way and a new business was born. The Virtual Art Fair helps us get vendors and buyers together at one location. In the meantime, it gives us a wonderful way to raise money for to help out some of our local charities.”
Initially, the organization was just going to run the give back program through October. However, they’ve extended the program into January to help out their favorite organizations during difficult economic times. The concept is very simple – go to the site, select your favorite gifts from a wide variety of artisans, and select a charity for a 10% donation.(Through December 2, it's 15%.)
Local animal non-profits that are reaping the rewards include – Heartland Animal Shelter, Tree House Humane Society, Harmony House for Cats, Animal Welfare League and Orphans of the Storm. Several other non-profits are also benefiting from the program as well - Alzheimers Association, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Lungevity, PLIDA and PADS.
“Now that the holidays are upon us, we hope the Virtual Art Fair really takes off,” says Fried. “We’ve worked to keep the fair small and local. All of the art is handmade by the artists and artisans and we’ve worked very hard to find a diverse selection so there would be something for everyone.”
The site is very easy to use – select an artist or artists, add the products to the online cart and select your favorite charity at check out. Shipping is free for now in the United States. Learn more online and check out the wide selection.
Do you volunteer or work for a shelter or rescue that has programs you'd like to promote? Do you work in a pet-rleated business that has an interesting story to tell. If so, contact me at kathypetexam@gmail.com. Enjoy this article? Receive email alerts when new articles become available. Just click on the subscribe button above. You may also follow me on Twitter, Facebook or read my blog.
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