Painting by Anthony Hopkins will be sold at silent auction
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com

Bidding for this Anthony Hopkins painting will begin at $1,500.

Many Cherokee County residents remember Anthony Hopkins from his Oscar-winning performance as Hannibal Lecter in "Silence of the Lambs."

Hopkins will show a completely different side of his personality in an original painting he has donated for an art fundraiser being held by the Limestone College theater department. The painting will be sold in a silent auction Sept. 25-28 as part of theater students' performance of the play "Art."

The Tony Award-winning comedy will be presented Sept. 25-27 at 7:30 p.m. each night. There will be a Sunday, Sept. 28 matinee at 3 p.m. All shows will be done at the old Brown Furniture Building in downtown Gaffney.

Hopkins' artwork is a color ink-on-paper piece, doublesigned, with a certificate of authenticity. Limestone College theater professor Dr. Carrie Ameling said bidding for the actor's artwork will begin at $1,500, which is well below its estimated value.

Hopkins' artwork will be sold along with pieces donated by local residents, Ameling said. Profits from the fundraiser will help the theater department pay for a field trip to New York City next May.

"The show's theme is art. We felt this fundraiser would be a great way to help pay for our students to have an educational experience in New York City," Ameling said. "We are in the process of making arrangements so the students can go behind the scenes of the production of 'Legally Blonde' and attend a show on Broadway."

Limestone College student Jonathan Willard has a relative who is a friend and associate of Hopkins in the film industry, according to Ameling. Willard was able to meet Hopkins recently while visiting his cousin Aaron Tucker.

Tucker operates an art gallery that displays several pieces of Hopkins' artwork.

Hopkins agreed to donate a painting for the Limestone College theater department art fundraiser, Ameling said.

The fundraiser is in keeping with the play's theme of "Art." The story centers on the relationship of three friends, played by Gaffney resident Donnie Patterson (Marc), Tommy Bednar (Serge) and Brendan Franks (Yvan.)

In the play, Serge pays 200,000 francs to purchase a painting that shows only white lines on a white canvas. The three men debate the merits of the painting and whether it should be considered art.

"This is a fun play. It will remind some people of Seinfeld in that it's much ado about nothing," Ameling said.

Ticket prices for the play are $6 for adults and $3 for seniors/students. Limestone College students and faculty members will be admitted free.