Silent auction to help Iraqis

By Gus Bode

a href=”https://www.dailyegyptian.com/contactus.html”bDE Staff Reporter/b/abrspan class=”realsmall”bDaily Egyptian/b/span

Silent auction to help Iraqis

Artist donate work in support of Iraqi relief fund

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After months of worldwide protests against a United States led war on Iraq, opponents are now changing their focusing to the Iraqi relief effort.

In an effort to raise funds for Voices in the Wilderness, a joint United States/British campaign to end the economic sanctions and military warfare in Iraq, a collaboration of organizations including the Peace Coalition of Southern Illinois have organized “Pieces for Peace,” to occur Friday at Longbranch Coffee House at 7 p.m.

More than 40 local artists have donated their works, including pottery and photographs, to be sold during a silent auction during the event. Live music and poetry readings will accompany the auction, as well as Voices in the Wilderness guest speaker Ceylon Mooney, who has been to Iraq twice.

Shannon Petrello, a graduate student studying photography and organizer of “Pieces for Peace,” said despite military action in Iraq, she feels her efforts to protest the war did not fail. But she said she is worried Americans will be quick to forget the innocent lives that were changed in Iraq.

“Now that it is out of the mainstream news, my concern is that people’s focus will shift,” Petrello said. “But it is important that we realize this issue is not resolved yet.

“The war is not over. The bombing might have stopped, but nothing has been resolved.”

Petrello said Voices in the Wilderness will use the donated money to send medicine, food and delegations to Iraq.

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Dread Scott, a political activist and artist from New York City, who visited SIUC in April as a visiting artist, donated one of the artworks. Scott’s work, a signed print of a political poster that he designed, comes with a suggested minimum bid of $60.

Carla Cioffi, also a graduate student in the photography, donated a diptych – two photos that work together to form one piece – that’s opening bid price is $100.

Although Cioffi said she is not affiliated with any of the local peace organizations, she does support their efforts.

“I know a little about Voices in the Wilderness and I personally am against what happened in Iraq and what we are currently doing there,” Cioffi said. “So this is a way for me to do a small part in supporting their efforts.”

Chad Wanzek, a graduate student studying painting, donated three pieces including one he calls “One on One,” which he said shows the “lopsidedness” of huge machines against individual people during war. He hopes his donation will help improve America’s rapport overseas.

“Any help we can give to Iraqi individuals will help the image of this country.”

“One on One” will start with a $40 suggested minimum bid.

Although some of the artworks come with at least a $100 price tag, Petrello said most of the pieces will have a suggested minimum bid of $10.

Prior to the Pieces for Peace fund-raiser, “Hidden War of Dessert Storm” will be shown at the Interfaith Center starting at 2 p.m. Friday. Following the film, there will be a press conference and a potluck dinner with Mooney.

Reporter Kristina Herrndobler can be reached at [email protected]

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