Bloomin' Artists raise money for Humphrey project
Hundreds turn out for silent auctions, art
08/01/2005 - By Grant Kerr
Telegraph-Journal

John Peters Humphrey would likely have been pleased.
Art enthusiasts and gardening fans alike turned out in droves over the weekend for Bloomin' Artists. The cheekily entitled Hampton event was raising money for a statue of the late lawyer and author of the first draft of the United Nations' international bill of human rights.
The fundraiser, spearheaded by John Murphy - a Hampton resident, retired art teacher and human rights advocate - was blessed with balmy weather that hovered near 30 degrees. Warm temperatures brought out dozens of art lovers who came out to soak in some art and great weather around Hampton.
Mr. Murphy, taking a brief respite, parked himself wearily on a set of stairs, and surveyed the silent auction that was unfolding in front of him.
"I wasn't sure what to expect. I am thrilled with the crowd that has come out," he said.
"The weather is a huge bonus."
The Humphrey fundraiser was a pairing up with Communities in Bloom, which Mr. Murphy said led to the weekend's success.
"It became not only a painting thing, but a gardening thing," he said.
About 40 artists from the Greater Saint John area turned out to paint all things floral in Hampton. With paint still drying, the works were then trotted off to the silent auctions, the proceeds of which will go to the Humphrey project.
Throughout the weekend, bidders furiously wrote down their offers for the small works in the Centennial Room, located in the centre of town. Dozens of small works were up for grabs in four rotating auctions.
Just outside the doors, curious onlookers could look at a maquette, which depicts in miniature what the finished sculpture will look like once it is installed on the Hampton courthouse grounds.
Across the parking lot, in front of the historic courthouse, children happily splashed paint on murals and mucked about.
Nearby, her easel set up in a patch of shade, Grand Bay-Westfield's Holly McKay was churning out lively acrylics on canvas.
Acquaintances strolled by and called out greetings to Ms. McKay, who was glad to be out of her studio on such a glorious day.
Ms. McKay had taken part in a similar event in St. Andrews just two weekends ago and jumped at the chance to be a Bloomin' Artist.
She already has three works in the silent auction, two more ready to go in and figured by late Sunday afternoon, she would have produced two more works.
"It's been really fun today," she said.
As an artist, "you really need to have a reason to go out (and paint), but once you're out, you think, 'Why don't I do this all the time?'"
Betty Kennett a Hampton gardener, who allowed four artists to capture her lush three acres of land on canvas, was pleased with the event.
"The combination of Communities in Bloom and John Peters Humphrey has certainly raised the profile of Hampton. (These projects) help foster people's responsibility for their surroundings," Mrs. Kennett said.
Money raised from Bloomin Artists will go toward "Credo", a sculpture being created by Hooper Studios commemorating the late Mr. Humphrey.
In 1946, the Hampton native was appointed the first director of the UN's Human Rights Division. This year marks the centennial of his birth.