Silent Art Auction Raises $4,300 For Shepherd's Center

Instead of becoming an architect, Miriam Swydan Erickson became a lawyer. But she never lost her lifelong love for drawing houses, landscapes and the ripe fruits and vegetables she picked at the farmers market.

An art show was not a place she thought she'd see her work, until she heard of one whose cause was close to her heart: The Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna had launched a silent auction show as a fundraiser, and as the daughter of an 89-year-old mother, Erickson said giving back to the elderly was something she cared about.

"The Shepherd's Center is a really valuable organization for Fairfax County," Erickson said. "We need to maintain these services to help keep the county a vibrant place to live in, to help the elderly maintain their quality of life."

Erickson is one of more than 50 local artists who donated their drawings, paintings, photography, jewelery, crafts and other artwork to this year's Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna Benefit Silent Art Auction.

In its third year, the event, co-sponsored by the Vienna Arts Society, raised more than $4,300.

The Shepherd's Center, now in its 14th year, offers rides to seniors who wouldn't otherwise be able to get to medical appointments, or run errands. They arrange house visits, offer enrichment classes and lectures, and organize field trips with other area groups.

But until three years ago, the organization didn't have much foray into the arts community, said Executive Director Michelle Scott. With so many other arts events in the county, Scott teamed up with Vienna Arts Center Director Teresa Ahmad to create something different.

They decided that for three weeks each year – this year, from May 31 to June 25 – the Vienna Arts Center on Pleasant Street in Vienna would open its doors to the public for the show. Though the event would be a silent auction, bids could be placed at any time during that period. The last day of the show would be a meet-and-greet for residents and artists (along with a time to get any last-minute bidding in).

Ahmad said the benefits are endless for both organizations: It brings awareness to the Shepherd's Center's cause and introduces residents to the Vienna Arts Society — which offers artist memberships as well as classes for children – for the first time.

Bill Kirby, who first joined the center as a volunteer driver nine years ago and now sits on its board of directors, said rides around town are among the biggest needs of Fairfax County's elderly population today.

"There's a growing need throughout the county as our population ages," he said. "We have a medical system set up into our older years, but a lot of us, sooner or later, can't drive there. There are a lot of people needing help getting to doctor's appointments, or other types of appointments."

Charlie Balch, who leads tours for the center, stopped by the show last Friday to bid on some items himself. He said he's lead groups of seniors "all over": Gettysburg, the Richmond Museum of Fine Arts, and several locations in Washington, D.C.

"These are things a lot of people have wanted to go do but they don't feel comfortable, or safe. We do the logistics for them, get a quality bus and a guide, which is something they can't do – or don't want to do – on their own," Balch said.

Ahmad said the show gives several elderly residents the chance to showcase their own work, offers young artists more exposure, and gives everyone a chance to connect with the people who purchase their work.

"It's neat for people who have an artwork to meat the artist, understand the inspiration, understand their story and have that personal connection," Ahmad said. "That connection lasts forever."

Pauline Lorfano, a featured artist,  longtime member of the Vienna Arts Society and 45-year Vienna resident, wasn't sure how much her piece "Spring Bouquet" would yield for the center. But she said what it offers for the county's aging community is priceless.

"We keep getting older," Lorfano said. "This means so much to the senior community."