What is the silent auction?
This year, the Feria has been very fortunate in receiving a special donation of a beautiful handcrafted ring made by Daniel Jackson García. The ring is done in 14k yellow gold set with a Magdalena, Jalisco, Mexican fire opal in the center and adorned with blue sapphires. Sizing is included in the event does not fit the lucky bidder. The ring will be sold by silent auction. There will be a special table set up in the raffle area of the Feria where the ring will be on display.

What are the raffle prizes?
All artists attending Feria Maestros del Arte are asked to donate one (or more) special piece/s of their work for the raffle. Many of the prizes are worth hundreds of dollars. Other than this donation and their transportation costs, artists pay nothing to attend the Feria - no booth fee, no percentage of sales. They are also fed two meals a day and housed with local families. Not just another art fair, Maestros del Arte is completely non-profit.

Shown below are some the 2006 raffle prizes raffled off at last year's Feria.

Who organizes the raffle?
Raffle Coordinators Toni and Ed Combs (Ed is pictured in the photo to the left; Amor en Acción volunteers photo on the right) do the lion's share of the work getting the raffle organized, picking up the raffle prizes from the artists, displaying them at the Feria and then assisting Amor en Acción volunteers in selling tickets.

In 2006, 23,000p (or approximately $2,300) was gifted to Amor en Acción from the raffle proceeds. They will be the recipient of the 2007 raffle proceeds as well.

How much do raffle tickets cost?
Tickets are sold by volunteers at the raffle table or wandering throughout the crowd for 10 pesos/each or 6 tickets for 50 pesos. Raffle prizes will be divided and there will be a raffle each day of the Feria - you need not attend the raffle drawing to win.

In the past, raffle winners have been able to select the piece of art they wish. This has become very labor intensive and not worked well in the past. Therefore, this year an art piece will be selected by the raffle organizers before a ticket is drawn - that is the piece the winner will take home.

Who benefits from the 2006 raffle?
Amor en Acción, Brazos Extendidos AC. (Love in Action, Open Arms A.C.) is this year's recipient of the money raised from the Feria Maestros del Arte raffle. This group provides care for 30 children, 10 of them attend the nearby afternoon elementary school, 4 attend pre-school, 3 attend school for children with special needs, and the smaller children remain at the shelter where they are provided with care and diverse recreational and educational activities.

Director Anabel Frutos opened this new facility last year in a very needy area of Chapala, the goal being to shelter abandoned and abused children. She is a loving mother and the driving force behind this worthy project. Donations and hands-on work from Mexican and foreign community volunteers keep the shelter going. But much more is needed to make the shelter achieve its full potential. Some children arrive with health problems that require immediate attention, several children need special education assistance, others speech therapy, physiotherapy etc - they all require lots of love.

For further information about the Feria Maestros del Arte raffle, contact Marianne Carlson at 011522 376 765 7485 or email mariannecarlson@gmail.com

(We thank Karen Henderson for the use of her photographs)