Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Rotary club helping to 'paint a better story'

Amy Corbin, the newly inducted president of the Rotary Club of Clovis, claims that any effort she's ever made at creating artwork has been, well, "disastrous."

So why does she have more than 150 works of art currently stacked in her office at Community Healthcare in Clovis?

For the best possible cause.

Corbin and her fellow Rotarians are hosting a months-long area-wide project called "Painting a Better Story." It's a creative (in every sense of the word) fundraiser that she hopes will raise a significant amount of money for The Oasis - Children's Advocate Center in Clovis.

"The Oasis conducts forensic interviews for children who are suspected of being victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse, or witnesses to a violent crime," Corbin said.

The agency strives to minimize trauma and anxiety for child victims by eliminating the need for multiple interviews.

Here's how this fundraiser works:

Corbin said the Rotary Club is reaching out to eastern New Mexico children in the same age range as The Oasis serves - 3 to 18 - and inviting them to create and donate artwork that will be part of an art show on Sept. 13 at the Clovis Civic Center, and then sold in a combination live/silent charity auction on Sept. 14 at the same location.

Two successful painting events have already taken place - one at Old Fort Days in Fort Sumner and another at the Gearhead Gathering during the Draggin' Main Music Festival in Clovis. That's why there are already 150 paintings stacked in Corbin's office.

The next one is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Ace Hardware and Home Center, 1300 S. Ave. D in Portales.

"We provide blank canvases, paint, paintbrushes, old t-shirts, drop cloths," Corbin said.

"We literally have everything they need - they just show up and paint."

Parents of the young artists are required to sign a release, and then pint-sized Picassos will be offered a choice of an 8x10 or 11x14 blank canvas to create their own work of art.

"Most kids take 15-20 minutes - some take longer - some 45 minutes to an hour," Corbin said. "They don't have to do this at an event. They can come and get supplies and take them home and then return the art to us."

In addition to Saturday's "Painting a Better Story" event, there are three more already on the calendar: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 3 at the North Plains Mall, 3-7:30 p.m. Aug. 6 at Hillcrest Park in conjunction with the Under Over Festival, and noon-4 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Clovis Civic Center as part of the Back to School Expo.

Corbin said her group also hopes to reach out to Quay County kids during that county's fair.

"This is the first time we've done this," she said, "so we didn't know what to expect. But the parents have been very supportive and the kids are very excited. The support we have received has been overwhelming."

Because of the high volume of art, Corbin said the Rotary Club plans to put together a panel of local artists to select 35-50 pieces that will be live auctioned on Sept. 14.

All of the remaining pieces will be silent-auctioned, and every penny of the proceeds will benefit The Oasis, where the community-minded Corbin has served as a board member for the past three years.

Final details for the art show and auction are still being worked out, she said, but "all parents will be invited - as well as others in the community - for heavy hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, and a fun event."

Besides financial support for The Oasis, Corbin said this project is also providing opportunities to enlighten the public about the important work done by this local organization.

"We've done a lot of explaining about what The Oasis is," she said. "It's been great for their exposure.

"While it is impossible to eliminate the pain that many of our local children are forced to endure," Corbin said, "our goal is to create a better outcome, or story, for them by supporting an organization whose primary focus is to minimize their trauma."

Amy Corbin may not consider herself an artist, but from what I see, this project has the potential to be a masterpiece.

Anyone who wants to know more may reach out to the Rotary Club of Clovis via Facebook or call or text Corbin at 575-749-1118.

Betty Williamson loves a fresh fundraiser. Reach her at:

[email protected]