Seven Revere High School (RHS) students donated their artwork in the Fairlawn Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Holiday Auction held at the Fairlawn Hilton Hotel in December.

Proceeds from the auction went to benefit local charities. In addition to submitting their pieces to the auction, the seven students (Jonathan Apicella, Jared Baumgardner, McKenna Becker, Devin Berresford, Simona Jasova, Brandon Scarr and Blake Schenk) visited the Fairlawn Hilton on the day of the auction to see if there were bids on their submissions and participate in different festivities. Simona Jasova, an RHS senior and current Portfolio student, outlined the day’s events.

“We went to school for first and second period, and then we took a bus to the Hilton in Fairlawn. We browsed through the artwork and donations [and saw] any bids on our own artwork. We then had a nice buffet lunch, after which the auction started. Since it was a silent auction, people could walk around and bid on each donated article individually, and after lunch the main and larger donations were auctioned off,” Jasova said.

Jasova also explained why she chose to submit her black and white photograph of the Brooklyn Bridge in this auction, which was the first one in which she has participated.

“I donated my art because I knew it would benefit a good cause, and I was very curious to see if anyone would actually enjoy and even pay for something that I photographed . . . . I chose to donate [the Brooklyn Bridge photo] because I thought it really showed the type of photography that I am interested in, and I also thought that many people would like it,” Jasova said.

Senior Devin Berresford, another Portfolio student who submitted to the charity auction, explained why she submitted her pieces, which included two photos on canvas.

“Colantone told me about the opportunity and I thought it would be fun to see if my artwork was something people wanted. I filled out a form with my matted photos, so it was pretty simple,” Berresford said.

Second-year Portfolio student and senior Jonathan Apicella voiced his reasoning behind submitting to the auction, too.
“Colantone asked the Portfolio students who would like to donate; since I was a third year [photography] student, she decided I was a good choice. I [have] always been more than willing to give things up for nothing in return if it helps other individuals [who] struggle day to day,” Apicella said.

Berresford also elaborated on what she appreciated about the charity art auction, which was the first auction in which she participated.

“The photos that I put [up for sale were] ones that I personally connect with and that I feel people would like to have,” Berresford said.

Though it was his first time participating in an auction, Apicella has submitted his works to other shows and competitions, so he elaborated on why he values sharing his art with others.

“I love art because one picture or painting can have a variety of meanings and emotions, but it is up to the observer to determine whether or not if it carries the weight of meaning behind it. The reason why I like sharing it with others is [that] instead of telling them a story, I can explain it in my photography,” Apicella said.

The auction took place on December 12 and altogether raised over $28,000.