This 12.5” bowl was donated by Sycamore Pottery’s owners, Pam and Ren Parziale, for inclusion in 2021’s “8x8 Create!” Auction. Courtesy photo

SHEPHERDSTOWN — For the second time, the Friends of Shepherdstown Library (FOSL) will be holding an art auction, to raise funds for the Shepherdstown Public Library. However, while its predecessor from Feb. 2021, the “8×8 Create!” Auction, was limited to specific kinds of art and relegated to an online-only viewing format, this year’s fundraiser is gearing up to be a more engaging experience.

The All Art Auction & Art Show will be held in the month of March. But, in the time leading up to then, local artists of all mediums are being encouraged to develop work for submission in this year’s fundraiser, according to FOSL representative Jennifer Bean.

“Expanding on FOSL’s successful 2021 ‘8×8 Create!’ art auction, this year’s auction will incorporate all forms of art, from paintings and pottery to music and dance,” Bean said, noting artists will not be limited on the number of submissions they can make. “Artists and creators of all ages and skill levels are invited to create an original work of art to donate for this online auction. Prints of original work are also welcome.”

Submissions of works of all sizes will be welcomed, including 8“x8” canvas artwork, as was hinted at by the name of this fundraiser’s predecessor. And, also similarly to that fundraiser, is the availability of a limited number of 8“x8” canvases for participating artists to use.

“A limited number of 8”x8” canvases are available, free of charge, at the library for participants who would like to create paintings,” Bean said.

“West Virginia Backroad” is an acrylic-on-canvas painting by Marie Chisholm Botsford, which was one of the items in 2021’s “8x8 Create!” Auction. Courtesy photo

Artists who would like to use or need to use alternative submission constraints are welcome to do so, according to Bean.

“Alternatively, you may donate a certificate for a custom work of art, a performance or an art, music or dance lesson for the auction,” Bean said, noting the main drawback to this kind of submission, is that the art will not be able to be put on display. “Artwork will be on display at the library, with an art show on March 10.”

Artwork and certificates may be submitted at the library until March 3. The library is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. After the auction’s conclusion, any donations without bids will be returned to the artist.

The BiddingOwl auction will be accessible, via the library and FOSL websites, from March 9-14.

For complete details and an entry form, visit https://www.foslwv.org/.