Cotton Pickers
by Rico Gatson
35 by 43.25
Lithograph and Screenprint

Painting with black, green, yellow, and red shapes

This piece is part of the catalog of approved art selections that residents can consider for donation. If you like this piece, see the catalog for details on price and next steps.

Making a donation 

The Art Committee welcomes residents’ generosity in contributing to the Permanent Collection at The Phoenix. If you are interested in purchasing artwork and donating to the Permanent Collection, you can do so individually or collectively with your neighbors. There are two principal ways to donate:

Select from the Catalog of Approved Art Selections

Review the Catalog of Approved Art Selections. Once you select a piece to donate, contact Nancy Hernke at nlhernke@outlook.com. She will verify availability of the piece and price. After payment is received from you, the Art Committee will take it from there. They will handle everything including contacting the artist to purchase the piece, arranging framing, and installing the piece on your floor. 

Donating from Other Sources
You may want to donate a piece from SooVac, MCAD, your favorite gallery or artist, or something from your personal collection. Note that donated artwork should be “original,” as defined below. Complete a submission form for each piece proposed for donation. The Art Committee will endeavor to see the piece in person and will use the Rating Criteria (see Donated Art Policy below) to objectively evaluate the piece. The piece must receive an aggregate score of 5 or greater to be accepted into the Permanent Collection.

By submitting this request, all homeowners listed understand and agree to the Donated Art Policy of the Phoenix on the River HOA (see below).

Donated Art Policy of Phoenix on the River HOA

Homeowners may purchase and donate art, either individually or collectively, to the Permanent Collection of Phoenix on the River HOA. Donated art must be “original,” as defined here:

  • Original Paintings are works painted by the artist. These are typically works on a two-dimensional surface using a wet substance. This substance is often painted, acrylic, or oil, commonly applied on cotton or linen canvas, a wooden panel, or a copper/metal plate. Printing on canvas or giclee would not be considered as original.

  • Original Prints are artworks created from a matrix, which is generally a single metal plate, stone block, wooden block, or screen that is hand-made by the artist. Each impression is done by the artist or artisan and the matrix is later destroyed. The prints are traditionally signed and numbered in pencil by the artist and generally called “Limited Edition Prints.” Artist Proofs and Gallery Proofs are other types of original prints. Printing on canvas or giclee would not be considered as original.

  • Original textile and fiber arts are works made by an artist. Fiber art encompasses a wide range of forms, both creative and crafted, including weaving, quilting, knitting, sewing, dyeing, felting, needlework, lace making, basketry, beading, hand-constructed sculpture, installation, and multimedia work materials.

  • Original Photography can be printed in many ways. Ideally the photograph would include the artist name, title, and edition size if applicable. 

  • Original Mixed Media artwork is made by an artist in which more than one medium or material has been employed. Assemblages, collages, and sculpture are three common examples of art using different media. Materials used to create mixed media art include, but are not limited to paint, cloth, paper, wood and found objects. 

  • Original Drawings are made by an artist by creating images on a surface, usually paper, by means of marks, including, but not limited to ink, graphite, chalk, charcoal, or pastel. 

Decisions made by the Art Committee are final. All proposed donations will be evaluated according to the criteria shown in the Rating Survey:

  • Is the artwork considered “original”? (See above for definitions.)

  • How well does the art fit the mission statement?

  • Does the art complement other art in the building?

  • How much does the art enhance the Phoenix collection?

  • Is the framing compatible with both the architecture of the building and other art in the building?

  • Would it appeal to a majority of the residents?

  • Is the art and framing in excellent condition?

  • If the art is a reproduction, is it a very high quality print?

  • Is the size of the piece versatile and impactful enough to fit in various places within the building?

  • Is the medium and condition of the art practical enough to withstand rigors of existing in, or moving locations within our condo building?

Once approved and accepted by the Art Committee, art becomes property of the Phoenix on the River HOA. Art will not be accepted on loan.

The initial placement of accepted art will be on the floor of the primary sponsor(s) of the art. That floor will be permanently guaranteed an additional piece of artwork for each rotation. Appropriate recognition will be made to homeowner(s) who have made donations, at the discretion of the homeowner(s).

The art in public areas will be rotated on a semi-annually basis. The art in residential corridors will be rotated on an annual basis.