Art to end Alzheimer’s

Submitted by Jen Tooman. 

Think back to Labor Day…what did you do? The Vander Veer family did what they do every year. They went camping at the Interlochen State Park. One of the “Cuzzins,” as they call themselves, brought paints and some canvas. The Cuzzins gathered around a picnic table and – for the first time for some of them – put a brush to canvas and channeled their inner Bob Ross. That same afternoon they took a trip into Traverse City and loaded up with more paints and canvas. By the end of the weekend they had over 20 “works of art.” From the youngest artist being just 23 months old to the oldest  at 38 years old, everyone had a different style and inspiration. During the weekend one of the aunts suggesting selling the artwork to raise money for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Ending Alzheimer’s is something the family is very passionate about as they watch their 92-year-old Grandma “Van” suffer with the disease. They’ve had a team in the Ludington Walk to End Alzheimer’s for five years and in that time have raised nearly $10,000.
Their team, All For One, began an online Facebook auction of the art that they made over Labor Day as well as art they have created since. Family friends have gotten in on the action and painted for the cause, too. Starting bids range from$10 for 8×10 to $30 for sets of three. Every dollar raised will go to the Alzheimer’s Association. So far, more than $500 in bids have been pledged.

You can find the auction online at www.facebook.com/AllForOneAgainstAlz

The auction runs until 8pm Thursday, December 4th. These  paintings would make great Christmas presents!  They will be on display on December 5th at Salon 22 for Downtown Ludington’s First Friday Art Walk. Bidders can pick up their paintings that night unless they’ve made other arrangements. The paintings that did not sell will be available for purchase that night as well.