The FDFAA is in the midst of its annual winter fundraiser for its programming and operating expenses. For a donation of $25, a board member of the FDFAA will take a portrait submitted by the donor and redraw it using various mediums. The donor will receive a digital download of the drawing, or for another $25 donation, will receive the original artwork.

Sounds easy enough — but there’s a catch.

“You might get one of our super talented artists, but honestly, you’ll probably get someone with the talent of a second-grader,” said FDFAA Executive Director Shelly Bottorff. “The luck of the draw is half the fun.”

The FDFAA’s “poorly drawn portraits” winter fundraiser is running now through Dec. 8. The fundraiser returns after a successful first run in 2022.

-Submitted photo
Hailey Taylor holds up the poorly drawn portrait of she and her sons that was gifted by Jennifer Condon during last year’s Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association fundraiser.

“We had a blast doing it,” Bottorff said. “The best part about it was delivering the framed images to people — the reactions are worth every stress I ever have in my job.”

The portraits — which can be of anything, but the artists specialize in pets, portraits, family photos, team photos, and just about anything else — make great Christmas gifts, Bottorff said.

“This makes a great gift for coworkers, bosses, family members, white elephant gifts, the neighbor you’ve been trying to win over,” she said. “I can’t think of anyone that wouldn’t love this.”

One of the most memorable masterpieces from last year, Bottorff said, was a portrait board member Jason Laird drew of a mom cuddled up with her little boys. The photo that was submitted was “very sweet,” but the drawing made them “look like little trolls.”

“This is one of the most entertaining fundraisers we have ever done,” she added.

Donors can email their reference photos to fdfinearts@gmail.com and will receive a link for the donation. Each $25 donation will receive a digital download of their poorly drawn portrait and the original artwork will be available upon request for an additional $25. An extra $10 donation will also fast-track the drawing to be complete within 48 hours. Deadline for submissions is Dec. 8.