Artists participating in the 2024 Not So Bad by Good People Contest gather together Friday evening following the auction at the Bellefontaine VFW. Pictured, from the left, are T.J. Hubbard, Greg Titus, Lea Del Hurley, Joe Antram, Hollie Hubbard, Angie Vertucci, Tonya Reed, Lauren Stamegna and Doug Carlton. Not pictured is Bethany Watts. (EXAMINER PHOTO | MANDY LOEHR)
The Logan County Art League’s Not So Bad Art by Good People contest came to an exciting conclusion Friday evening, Jan. 26, with the auction of 10 unique pieces created by community members and light-hearted bidding wars for a good cause.
In total, the 2024 fundraiser generated $4,705 for the Logan County Art League, including $3,275 raised at the auction at the Bellefontaine VFW, and $1,430 raised through public voting conducted throughout January online and at the art display, located at Citizens Federal Savings and Loan Company.
Before the auction got underway with auctioneers Jeff Dalton and Mick Lile, the Art League presented a special award to the People’s Choice winner, the recipient of the most votes in the contest.
City resident Doug Carlton’s serene seascape oil painting was the overwhelming winner of the People’s Choice Award, with votes cast by local residents and also by friends from afar through the online option, recognizing his talent and bravery in renewing his artistic side after suffering a major stroke in 2021.
A retired Honda Marysville engineer, Carlton had to learn how to paint using his left hand through lessons with Dwight Greenbaum at Rush Creek Art Studio, since his dominant right side was severely affected by the stroke, as previously detailed in an Examiner article.
While he was initially hesitant to enter the art contest, he was spurred on by his wife, Jayne, and their friend Jason Duff to represent Small Nation, where Jayne also works.
With the difficult post-stroke rehabilitation of the past several years, the award presentation was especially meaningful for the Carltons, with Jayne working through tears while expressing her appreciation and also encouraging others to persevere when life gets tough.
“Doug wanted to participate in the contest to encourage others in similar situations not to give up,” she said. “Life changes; you have to find strength to accept the change yet at the same time, do not give into it. Continue to set goals for yourself and don’t stop following your dreams.”
The 2023 People’s Choice Award winner, Elaine Fagan-Moore, had the honor of presenting Doug with this year’s award.
“I remember at this time last year my stomach was in knots,” she said. “It’s an honor to be here for the community.”
In addition to the People’s Choice award, Doug also was the co-recipient of the award recognizing the piece generating the most funds during the auction. His seascape and Logan County Commissioner Joe Antram’s painting of Indian Lake each sold for $400.
Auctioneers Lile and Dalton also contributed a surprise at the end of the auction. They donated a watercolor piece created by the late Wanda Stahler to the auction, with the $250 generated by the painting donated to the Art League.
To learn more about the Logan County Art League, including upcoming workshops and other activities, visit https://logancountyartleague.org/ or find the Art League on Facebook.
Doug Carlton, seated, holds his 2024 People’s Choice award plaque and painter’s palette etched with previous winner’s names Friday evening, while his wife, Jayne, reacts to the emotional surprise. (EXAMINER PHOTO | MANDY LOEHR)