When Dew Drop Inn leaders started thinking about donor recognition gifts for their major fundraising campaign, giving a picture of the soup kitchen building just wasn’t exciting. Nikki Burns, who heads the committee that oversees the Dew Drop Inn, went to Dick Spooner, a friend as well as an artist, to ask his opinion.
“He seemed to be interested in the idea and started thinking about what was possible,” she said.
Prints of various sizes will be given to organizations and people who have contributed to the Dew Drop Inn’s $500,000 fundraising campaign for renovations and operating costs. So far $380,000 has been raised.
A retired graphic artist, Spooner is known for his urban-scapes and pictures of buildings. But when he toured the Dew Drop Inn it was clear he wouldn’t be painting the 125-year old building. “The building wasn’t that interesting – it’s (the St. Andrew’s Roman Catholic Church) ancient parish hall,” he said “You don’t see it from the road so it doesn’t trigger anything.”