Photo: Tom Hindman

Chairs

In the next month, a group of Charleston artists will take these unfinished rockers and using paint and other media, transform them into works of art to raise money for Covenant House. Among participating artists are Paula Clendenin, front left, and Chris Dutch, Susan Petryszak, rear left, Jeff Pierson, Mark Tobin Moore and Reidun Ovrebo.

The blank canvas is the same for a group of Charleston artists who have offered to help the Covenant House with a fund-raiser.

Most of them had to sit and rock a spell to think about what they'll do with their respective canvases.

By April, the dozen artists are expected to have turned their unfinished rocking chairs into unique works of art that will be auctioned to raise money for Covenant House, which provides a variety of social services for the poor and homeless and those with AIDS.

Covenant house co-director Barbara Ferraro credited artist Paula Clendenin with rounding up the talent for the fund-raiser.

"We're all one step away from Covenant House," Clendenin quipped.

Rocking in her chair -- all were sold by Nature's Furniture at a discount -- Clendenin mused she may paint her chair using the theme of motherhood.

Graphic artist Jeff Pierson said he may do a face, as did Mark Tobin Moore.

Ferraro wondered aloud what metals sculptor Mark Blumenstein will do with his chair. Artists are asked to have their chairs completed for display by April. The auction will be scheduled for late April or early May.

Other artists participating include Susan Petryszak, Reidon Ovrebo, Chris Dutch, Robin Hammer, Helen Chilton, Peter Massing, Barrie Kaufman and Debby McHenry.

© Copyright Daily Mail