Midge Smith Fine Art Gallery opens in Lewes

Featuring an eclectic blend of artwork with an eye toward having something to appeal to everyone, Lewes’ Midge Smith Fine Art Gallery offers Art For a Purpose.

The gallery is a place where art and philanthropy unite to allow donors, artists and art lovers to participate in creative charitable giving.

A ribbon cutting took place Sept. 2, marking the gallery’s opening.

Smith conceived the gallery because, like many art collectors, she has art that is too good to give away to a thrift shop.

“Nonprofit organizations aren’t equipped to deal with donated art,” she said. Smith said many art collectors face the question of where to put something new they’d like to acquire, but their wall and closet space is already filled. The gallery provides these collectors with an option.

As a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, Art for a Purpose assists other tax-exempt organizations by turning donated art into cash for their use.

The gallery accepts works of art directly from donors, sells it, and distributes sales proceeds directly to charitable organizations. Art donors receive acknowledgment for their donations, which are useful for tax purposes. Donors may recommend charities to benefit from the sale of their donated art. Anyone can be a donor, and any charity willing to accept donations may be recipients.

Net proceeds of art sold are made directly to other nonprofit organizations. The gallery does not maintain oversight over how charities use funds. As a result, charities receive cash for donated art they otherwise would not receive.

Smith said charities save time and money because they don’t have to spend money on marketing and locating buyers for donated art, nor do they have to expend resources for space and other requirements needed to protect and preserve art prior to its sale.

Charities increase their potential for cash from art sales by referring their members and constituents to the gallery to donate art and to purchase art that has been designated for a charity’s benefit.

Donors receive tax benefits and satisfaction in knowing that sales of their donated art will benefit others.

Purchasers receive satisfaction that comes from acquiring a special piece of art to enjoy in their homes or businesses.

Buyers also know money spent benefits charitable organizations.

Smith said her favorite work in the gallery is six pieces by Russian-born French artist Erté (1892-1990), among them are three sculptures of female figures, a vase and a mirror with a pair of red lips affixed. “It’s a true mirror with a face on it, but it’s a piece of art. They’re all good, quality work,” she said describing the pieces.

Smith said she is also affiliated with a Philadelphia auction house and major gallery. Both are assisting her in determining the value of artwork.

She said the gallery features art for everyone.

“I’ll have pieces that would run from $50 to $60,000, in every style, media and size imaginable,” Smith said. She said the focus is on what brings in money for a charity.

Smith said Ocean Atlantic Sotheby’s International Realty’s Lewes office on Savannah Road is an extension of the gallery. The office is decorated with art that, when sold, benefits the nonprofit organization indicated next to the piece.

“Every piece that we put up will have a little story by it,” she said.

Smith said she doesn’t want art to remain in the gallery for extended periods. “I want it to be here for as short a time as possible,” but she said she doesn’t yet know how long that would be.

She said some pieces might be sold at auction and others on the internet. But regardless of how they’re sold, the gallery would get the best price possible.

The gallery’s website is still being developed and when complete would contain images of everything available.

Gallery hours are 2 to 6 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday, now through Christmas. The gallery will be open by appointment only in January and February.

Midge Smith Fine Art Gallery is at 135 Second Street, second floor, in Lewes. For additional information, phone 302-245-4528, or go to www.artforapurpose.org.