In an effort to help the local art scene thrive, The Hairhole — a local practice space for musicians — is putting on a 48-hour Vinyl Art Show as a benefit to support local artists as well as pay the beloved space’s rent.
“We not only want to raise money, but inspire people to make art, which I really love to do,” said Amanda Rainey, one of the organizers of the event. “And also get some other people involved in the space hopefully.”
The idea for the benefit stems from the release of a 12-inch split record by Amanda Rainey’s band, Comfort Zone, and another local band, Task Force. Both bands decided to screen-print their own album artwork on the inside of old record sleeves. As a result, The Hairhole was left with 300 old records. Instead of letting the records simply collect dust, The Hairhole decided to create a benefit around the records.
To get involved in the event, participants pay an entry fee of $5 to create a piece of art that incorporates a record provided by The Hairhole. Artists can pick up their record at 5 p.m. Friday at The Hairhole.
On Sunday, only 48 hours later, artists are asked to return their completed record-art to Café Berlin, where the art will be put on display until the silent auction at 7 p.m. Sept. 30.
“I’m just excited to see all the art because I don’t know what people are going to do, ” she said. “You can do anything. The only rule is you have to use a record, so I’m hoping people will make sculptures, mobiles and I’m sure we’ll get paintings or collages too.”
Amanda Rainey said the event’s organizers encourage people to come to the auction and support Columbia’s art scene by buying unique local art at an inexpensive price. Bidding for each piece starts at $10.
Attendees of the silent auction will be surrounded by drinks, art and acoustic acts, including Jack Gralle, Thomas Sallings and Dubb Nubb. Café Berlin will donate 50 percent of the drink profits to The Hairhole.
Amanda Rainey and freshman Delia Rainey said in addition to submitting their own artwork for the benefit, they will be playing in their indie-folk band Dubb Nubb along with their sister, freshman Hannah Rainey.
“I think that the art and music scene in Columbia is getting better and I think it has so much potential to be something really great,” Delia Rainey said. “That’s why I think people need to reach out and help it grow.”
Amanda Rainey said the proceeds from this benefit are very important to those involved with The Hairhole. Rainey described her love for the space since her first experience with The Hairhole last year.
“It’s just awesome to have a space,” Amanda Rainey said. “It’s not just like a group of people playing music in their basement. It’s a community space where you can go and hang out and listen to a band practice or pick up a guitar and play with them.”
Being an artist is not a requirement to get involved with the benefit, and Amanda Rainey said the organizers hope the benefit will bring different people together to give the space exposure.
“Columbia, for me, is a really amazing and really small little cool place, but it’s just like a supportive community especially in the arts,” Amanda Rainey said. “It just seems like everyone I know does something creative with art or music or whatever. So I think that it’s cool to do something like this that includes everybody.”