May 20 – June 6, 2021, saw the second annual benefit Auction for Fenix relegated to the online sphere due to the anti-epidemic measures. Over 260 paintings from 17 elementary and secondary schools and art schools from Brno and other regions of the country found their way into the collection. The final selection for the auction of 70 artworks was handpicked by a panel of experts (Katherine Kastner, Lucia Lettenmayerová, Denisa Kujelová, František Kinský and Michal Horáček). Against all odds, we were able to raise nearly CZK 120,000. Proceeds from the event will go towards the rehabilitation of our clients at ParaCENTER Fenix, which has been helping people with spinal injuries for 17 years.

Engaging young artists in charitable efforts is a way to show kids that art can support good causes, even at a very early age. Young people donate their paintings to the benefit Auction for Fenix and our ParaCENTER Fenix promotes young talent through a benefit exhibition, reaching out to foreign entities and expatriate associations in the Czech Republic and abroad. The main mission is to showcase up-and-coming Czech artists who can inspire the world. The project also included an online “Painting for Fenix” contest which began in early May and allowed people to vote for their favorite artwork on Facebook. 678 individuals awarded a total of 8,439 Likes. The winner received 472 votes, and all the paintings were subsequently auctioned off in collaboration with Auction House Zezula and under the auspices of the Dagmar and Václav Havel Foundation, VIZE 97. The total proceeds, including the post-auction sales, amounted to CZK 117,300. The highest bid of CZK 7,500 was paid for a painting of a 14-year-old lady. One of the auctioned works is going to find its new home all the way in France. “The online Auction for Fenix was this year’s first benefit event we decided to organize after a yearlong suspension. Just like any online auction, the Auction for Fenix had a thrilling finale. Hundreds and thousands of crowns started swishing through the ether particularly in the final minutes, which made the event exciting to the very end. By purchasing a painting, the public could not only support the operation of ParaCENTER Fenix, but also boost the confidence and foster the talent of young artists who did not hesitate and donated to our auction. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the bidders, partners, and especially the kids that participated in the collection drive. We are hoping everyone will continue working with us next year and we firmly believe that next year’s will be a genuine in-person Auction for Fenix without COVID-19 restrictions,” said Mgr. Ivana Kovaříková, Ph.D., Auction for Fenix project coordinator.