While the concerns about public gatherings due to the ongoing pandemic have canceled many of the outdoor summer festivals and major fund-raisers that many nonprofits rely on to function, lovers of the arts on Cape Cod can still support their favorite nonprofit.
The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod (AFCC) is going ahead with Citizens Bank Pops by the Sea At-Home Edition on Aug. 9, to mark conductor Keith Lockhart’s 25th anniversary with the Boston Pops, Cape Cod’s healthcare professionals who have been on the front line of the pandemic and the work being done by the AFCC. The annual summer concert, AFCC’s largest fund-raiser, has tapped actor Neal McDonough as guest conductor. The 1984 Barnstable High School graduate wis also scheduled to return to Cape Cod next August to conduct the Pops by the Sea in person on the Hyannis Village Green.
“I’m so looking forward to what we do this year for fun and I’m really looking forward to when I get to do the real thing,” said McDonough. “For me to finally get to go to the Pops and be onstage and conduct with Keith Lockhart, are you kidding me? How cool is that?”
With more than 125 film and TV credits to his name, McDonough has been among the busiest actors in Hollywood over the past three decades. Recently, he appeared opposite Jim Carrey in “Sonic the Hedgehog” and just completed filming on “Red Stone,” which stars Bruce Willis and which McDonough also executive produced.
Businesses interested in sponsoring the event should contact Director of Development Amy Tuttle at atuttle@artsfoundation.org.
Donations to Pops by the Sea can be made at www.artsfoundation.org. The annual event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the AFCC, which supports, promotes, and celebrates arts and culture on Cape Cod through grants, fellowships, scholarships, advocacy, and its AFCC Access program which connects children in need to arts enrichment activities they otherwise wouldn’t have.
“With the pandemic, the need is great this year,” said AFCC Executive Director Julie Wake. “If people can give, it will enable us to do more at a time when the arts have been devastated by the events of the past few months.”
The Arts Foundation is also holding virtually its annual Silent Art Auction and a Live Art Auction over the next few weeks starting July 23 and running through Sunday, Aug. 9. Roughly 30 pieces, all created by Cape Cod artists, will be up for auction. Funds raised will go to the individual artists as well as the AFCC
The public can sign up for the silent and live auctions at www.artsfoundation.org or by contacting AFCC Director of Development Amy Tuttle at atuttle@artsfoundation.org.
The Live Art Auction will be streamed from the Chatham Bars Inn on Aug. 6 at 6 p.m.
The Cape Cod Museum of Art‘s annual art auction is also online this year, from July 20 to Aug. 15 featuring work by Cape Cod artists. View the auction items here. The live online auction starts at 7 p.m. on Aug. 15.
“Instead of the usual big tent on the grounds of the Cape Cod Museum of Art, this year’s Annual Art Auction will be held on-line, allowing all of us to maintain social distancing while enjoying the thrill of bidding on some outstanding art, art objects and experiences, keeping the museum vital and growing,” said the museum’s Event Coordinator Judy Edmunds.
Artwork by Marieluise Hutchinson Jim Holland, Robert Douglas Hunter, Sam Feinstein, Suzanne Packer, Rowland Sherman, Paul Schulenburg and Kenneth Hawkey will be included, to name just a few. Also available will be pottery, jewelry, an outdoor fire pit, fine dining experiences, a bed and breakfast stay, gift certificates and many other featured items donated by Cape Cod businesses.
Another fun summer event taking place through Friday, July 24 is Cahoon Museum of American Art’s “Brush-Off” Art Auction and Festival. This year, nearly 75 local and regional artists, offering more than 100 artworks, will participate in the museum’s most important fundraiser, online. Rain or shine, this online opportunity allows anyone (anywhere!) to participate and support the museum and its excellence in exhibitions and programs.To get a “virtual” paddle and bid, go to https://e.givesmart.com/events/hgr/ where a list of all the artworks are visible.
