
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 18, 1990                   TAG: 9004180486
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ARTISTS, CHARITIES AND DONATIONS

THIS LETTER is in response to the artists who wish to be reimbursed for works donated for charity auctions, and the sad commentary that, at present, artists get nothing from these donations other than some small tax deduction for materials costs.

First, a donation should be just what the word means: the action of making a gift, especially to a charity or public institution, or a free contribution. If artists do not wish to donate, for whatever reason, then that is of course their choice to make.

Forcing charities to pay a percentage to artists is along the same lines as artists' "donating" works to galleries. It then becomes not a gift but a commissioned work. Asking a percentage opens the door for artists/craftpersons to go into the business of donating to charities so they will be sure of getting a sale.

Second, with regard to the notion that the artists only get a small tax break and some publicity, this doesn't sound so terrible from my point of view. When I believe in a charitable organization enough and am asked to donate a work, then I will do exactly that, donate the work with no strings attached.

If the organization, such as the Medical Clinic of the New River Valley, wishes to advertise and give me feedback on the donated work, then I really appreciate the effort. If I get a small tax deduction, then I will take it, but the most important thing to me is the feeling that I really have helped a good cause.

Maybe a more equitable solution would be to work together through state and federal legislators to get better tax deductions for the works donated, so that both the buyer and artist get reasonable deductions.

NANCY F. KEENAN\ BLACKSBURG

by CNB