HOW TO RAISE FUNDS THE WRONG WAY!!!

How do you raise money for non profit artists groups or galleries without doing it on the backs of artists?Most artists don't make the financial news so to ask them to donate their paintings is a bit like asking them if they want to hurt now or later.I have avoided particiaping in our local art auction because it is an embarrassing and publically humiliating situation to have to sell my art works for a fraction of what they were worth and previously shown. The art work is a 100% donation. I was suppose to be happy with a ticket to the event! It was terrible to sit there and wonder if my art would reach it's real value or be so undersold I really didn't want to meet the purchaser. I was supposed to be happy with the publicity! but it was not good publicity.
WELLLLL, the result was that I have had patrons who told me that they hoped this particular painting would be in next years auction so they could get it cheap!!! Needless to say I didn't participate again!! I was ruining my reputation, my value and making my art a cheap bargain! and all for a 'good cause'!!
There were repercussions of course: cultural bigwigs would not give me the time of day because I was not donating, and I probably will not be considered for certain events/ exhibitions because of my perceived lack of local support.
I have no problem with raising funds for my local art auction/public gallery. It's just that they took the artists out of the equation and relegated us to 'source of funds'. How sad to raise money for the awareness of art/art programs by sacrificing the artist.A fund raiser should not be an event to get art at bargain prices...in fact, real true benefactors would be willing to pay MORE than the worth of the art to gladly give to the charity. One side is 'what's in it for me?', the other is 'what can I give back to my community?'NEXT: HOW TO FUNDRAISE THE RIGHT WAY