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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 9.02.14
MEDIA CONTACT: Debra VanWert EMAIL: dvanwert@rochester.rr.com
Cell 585-748-8375
Sponsored by the Women of DRAW www.roc-draw.com the “Take A Seat, Make A Difference”
Friendship Project /Auction will raise much needed funds for the Friendship Children’s Center
(Friendship) through its first ever online fundraiser. Once known as the Rochester Nursery,
Friendship has provided affordable educational child care to the working poor in Rochester
since 1926.
THE FRIENDSHIP CHAIRS
Donated to the center decades ago, 42 coveted vintage chairs have been re -imagined and
embellished by scores of local emerging and professional artists for auction to benefit the
families at Friendship.
THE FRIENDSHIP ARTISTS
Early this winter, the artists answered the call to “Take A Seat and Make A Difference” without
hesitation. Throughout the spring and early summer and with no reimbursement for supplies or
compensation for their efforts, the artists transformed the chairs from hard working tired old event
seats battered and bruised by years of service into stunning works of art. The artists were given only this
directive. “Do your thing. Express yourself. Have fun”. As a result, the chairs’ themes range from
sophisticated to ridiculously happy with applications using paint, plaster, gold leaf, metal, encaustics and
wood burning treatment(s) to name only a few. Some are additionally adorned with traditional works of
art and handmade accessories. They are original, unusual and spectacular!
“Take A Seat, Make A Difference” Friendship Chair Project
Online Auction / September 11 – October 9,2014

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Sarah Rutherford Diane Field Frank Argento
THREE OPORTUNITITES ….
#1 - ON EXHIBIT
Through additional sponsorship by the Friends & Foundation /Rochester Public Library the “Friendship
Chairs” will be on exhibit throughout the online auction at the Rundel Memorial Building in the majestic
wood paneled Harold Hacker Hall/Central Library 115 South Ave, Rochester, NY from
Thursday, September 11 – October 9, 2014 during normal business hours. Bids can be made via your
smart phone at www.bforg.com/Friendship
#2 - ONLINE AUCTION
Starting Thursday, Sept. 11 at 8 a.m. bids can be made from any computer at anytime through
midnight October 9, 2014. You can see and bid on the chairs at the secure website
https://www.biddingforgood.com/Friendship or via your mobile device at
https://www.bforg.com/Friendship
Lisa Livoti Struble Andrea Sands Kat Sweeney Maddie Bliss
Chair Photos - Courtesy of Rick Shannon Photography

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#3 – ONSITE ARTISTS’ CLOSING RECEPTION
Meet the Artists and see the chairs one last time before bidding closes at
midnight!
Rundel Memorial Building, Harold Hacker Hall/Central Library
115 South Ave, Rochester, NY
Thursday, October 9, 2014 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
FREE & Open to the Public Light refreshments will be served
Bids can be made from any computer through Midnight - October 9, 2014 at the
https://www.biddingforgood.com/Friendship website or via your mobile device at
https://www.bforg.com/Friendship
YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE AUCTION WILL SUPPORT THE CHILDREN
“Take a Seat, Make a Difference” Friendship Chair Auction benefits the children of our
community in several ways:
• Provides a Scholarship Fund for FCC Families that can’t afford the minimum payment.
• Provides an Emergency Fund for FCC families with immediate needs for necessities like
food/diapers/clothing due to catastrophic or unforeseen circumstances.
• Provides for an Arts/Cultural Fund so that the disadvantaged youth of FCC have access
to outside educational programs including art museums, farms, parks, theater, etc.
WOULD YOU RATHER MAKE A DONATION?
Friendship Children 1926

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Donations are also accepted at the https://www.biddingforgood.com/Friendship webpage.
NOTE: The auction site is the same platform used by WXXI.
Friendship Children’s Center is a 501(c)3 Not –for-Profit
ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFO/ ONLINE RESOURCES
Friendship Children’s Center
Joi DiGennaro-McMurtry – Executive Director
310 Fernwood Ave Rochester, NY 14609
www.friendshipchildrenscenter.weebly.com
Office: 585-342-7250
friendshipschild@aol.com
DRAW www.roc-draw.com
Founder Kate Lipsky
Cell: 585-734-6611
Friends & Foundation of Rochester Public Library
Rebecca Fuss
Director of Programming & Outreach
Friends & Foundation of RPL
Serving the Rochester Public Library
585.428.8350
115 South Avenue, Rochester NY 14604
http://www3.libraryweb.org/home2.aspx
Artists Featured Above
Sarah Rutherford ARTIST www.sarahrutherford.net
Frank Argento ARTIST www.frankargentoart.com
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/FriendshipChildrensCenterOfRochesterNY
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @friendshipchair
Hi RES Photos available via DROPBOX
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6kupdeul6ayijq0/AADm-8eiASU-TIq98yqgBqY-a?dl=0