National Art League to Raffle Off 50 Pieces of Work on April 17

The National Art League will raffle off 50 paintings created by its members for just a few dollars apiece next week during the Douglaston gallery’s largest annual fundraiser.

The league, located at 44-21 Douglaston Parkway, will host the art raffle, luncheon and exhibition on April 17 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

“It’s our biggest annual fundraiser,” said Marie Marsina, the art league’s president. “People can get an original piece of art for $3.”

Attendees can purchase three raffle tickets at $9 or a book of 10 for $20.

Lynne Jaffe, a board member for the gallery who coordinated the raffle and exhibition, said several of the pieces in the show would typically be expensive to purchase.

“Some of the works that are donated would be worth hundreds of dollars,” she said. “They are all brand new pieces that range in size from very small to very large.”

The show will feature works in a variety of formats, including acrylic, oil, watercolors, pencil and ceramics, and styles, such as impressionistic paintings, abstract pieces, still life, landscapes and portraits. 

The gallery has been hosting the raffle for 20 years. Jaffe said the event is the league’s largest annual fundraiser and that all money raised goes toward the maintenance of the gallery’s building.

“This goes toward the upkeep of the gallery and the entire building, which needs painting,” she said.

The event will include a free-of-charge lunch with Chinese food and snacks made by art league members.

In May, the gallery will hold its annual juried exhibit, during which both members and non-members can show their work.

A judge has already picked 100 artworks that will be displayed from May 1 through the end of the month. Awards will be handed out during a reception.

“That will be a big show,” Marsina said. “We’ll hang paintings on our first and second floor. There’s a lot of beautiful work.”

Raffle tickets can be purchased in advance at the league or at the door during the April 17 show. Jaffe said numbers will be drawn for each of the 50 pieces in the show and that ticket buyers do not need to be present to win.