Small Price Tags, Big Impact As a college student living in Virginia, Cindy Pettinaro Wilkinson ’88 discovered a landscape by Rea Redifer at a garage sale. It was the first of many original artworks that still hang in Wilkinson’s home and one of her inspirations for starting the Cheap Original Cool Art (COCA) Gallery. “Friends and family were drawn to my artwork,” says Cindy, who serves on Tatnall’s Board of Trustees and chairs the school’s Alumni Council. “But I think many people were hesitant to purchase their own art. They seemed to lack the confidence in their taste and not trust their instincts.” Located in Union Park Honda at 1704 Pennsylvania Avenue, the COCA Gallery strives to provide a gateway for consumers and emerging artists alike. A variety of oil and watercolor paintings are available for less than $500, and unlike a standard gallery, COCA doesn’t charge a high commission fee, instead giving 70 percent of the proceeds directly to the artist. The remaining proceeds are donated to charities and used to cover the gallery’s administrative costs. Since 2013, more than $16,000 has been donated to nonprofit organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the Kind to Kids Foundation and Canine Partners for Life. “If everyone would give back to others just a little bit, a lot would get done” is Cindy’s philosophy. Cindy is especially proud to collaborate on the gallery with fellow Tatnall alumni. Jim Ursomarso ’88 donates the space at Union Park Honda, while Carroll Ivy Lawrence ’84 helps to market the gallery and spread the word about its bimonthly gatherings. “Tatnall is a place where you can build confidence in a family atmosphere,” Cindy says. “And it’s still a place where you come back and feel at home.”
“Tatnall is a place where you can build confidence in a family atmosphere. And it’s still a place where you come back and feel at home.” –Cindy Pettinaro Wilkinson
If you’d like to visit or show artwork at the COCA Gallery, go to cocaart.wordpress.com or email cocaart@outlook.com.
Spring 2015 :: Tatnall Today :: 25