To replace its annual fundraising gala, cancelled due to the coronavirus, the Sandwich Arts Alliance has come up with the idea that people would enjoy picnicking at home with a unique artist-inspired picnic basket.

Thirty picnic baskets, each with a flat-top surface perfect for a hand-painted design, are painted by thirty SAA artists with images that invoke summer life here in Sandwich and on Cape Cod. Each basket top will be signed by the artist, and each basket top is removable so that the artwork can be hung if desired. Forty unpainted baskets with the SAA logo will also be available at the auction through a ‘Buy Now’ button.

Once these lovely baskets are finished, the Alliance will auction them off via an online silent auction at their website August 8th through 22nd at  www.sandwichartsalliance.org.

After the bidding is complete, the winners will be able to pick up their baskets at the SAA Center & Gallery at 124 Route 6A, Sandwich on Saturday, August 29th from 10 am to noon, and each basket will include a gift card from the purchaser’s choice of restaurant: Café Chew, Fisherman’s View or The Sagamore Inn.

According to Development Co-Director Joanne Westerhouse, “This is the one annual SAA fundraising event with proceeds to be used for programming, special events and operations, and especially meaningful following our Center being closed from March 13th through July 17th. All exhibits and events were canceled during this time, thus eliminating all sources of income while our expenses continued on.”

Development Co-Director Kathy Aubin added, “This project is a great opportunity for our artists to showcase their work by creating a beautiful keepsake picnic basket, the proceeds from which will help support three of our beloved local restaurants, while raising much-needed revenue for the Arts Alliance. Once we decided it was wise to cancel our Annual Gala, we went to work on the idea of a virtual event for our members, friends, and supporters who have missed participating in so many of our events. We think we’ve landed on a real winner with Let’s Picnic!”