DAPHNE, Ala.—Bay Rivers Art Guild is planning a “Doors of Daphne” fundraiser to raise money for its move to the Nicholson Center on Captain O’Neal Drive, where the guild hopes to relocate later this year.

“The goal is to raise money to renovate the Nicholson Center,” Valley O’Neal, chairman of the building committee, said.

Nancy Wininger, colored pencil instructor at the guild and ‘Doors’ project co-chairwoman, said, “The reason we have to raise money for the center is because the inside of the building is a gym.

“There are no rooms partitioned off; just one big space.”

The guild plans to install an elevator, construct classrooms and bathrooms, supply electrical work and build an entrance and parking.

“We’re trying to renovate it so it’s an outstanding art center for the city,” O’Neal said.

But the renovation won’t come cheap. The guild has received a grant for architecture and plans to apply for more but is looking at a hefty bill to complete its move.

“Those renovations will cost $1-2 million dollars to complete,” Wininger said. “The city owns the space and we have to hire an architect to plan the space.”

The “Doors of Daphne” reception is set for March 7 with the silent auction continuing through April 13 with highest bidders being contacted the next day to pick up their paintings.

Both functions are free and open to the public.

BRAG asks that local artists stop by its office and select a photo of an individual door that they would like to paint.

“A local artist will paint individual doors and (the paintings) will be sold at a silent auction,” Wininger said.

The idea is a product of co-chairwoman Judi Swan, who made the proposal to the guild’s board as a way to help raise money for the building fund, according to Wininger.

“We have so much pride in coming up with this idea,” O’Neal said. “Judy Swan and Nancy Wininger came up with the idea and they just took off with it.”

BRAG has outgrown the building it occupies.

“Bay Rivers Art Guild is growing, literally, out of the walls in the tiny building we are currently in,” Wininger said. “We want to grow our membership by offering more workshops, classes, gallery space and summer camp activities.”

Wininger added that the guild has turned students away from adult and children’s classes due to a lack of space.

“We have had calls for pottery and sculpting classes which we would like to offer the community when more space is available,” Wininger said.

The guild hopes residents and chosen door owners will purchase a painting, buy a poster and become a member.

Funds raised will go toward purchasing advertisements, printing posters, frames and art supplies.

“We are (Daphne’s) neighbors,” Wininger said. “We have fine art for sale and we provide a creative learning environment for children and adults year-round.

“(Residents’) support of the arts is critical to the success and growth of the important service Bay Rivers Art Guild provides to this community.”

Of 100 pictures taken of doors, 20 were chosen by a three-person review board, comprised of Fran Neumann, Donna Pond and Barbara Thomas.

“Beautiful doors, old doors, architectural and unusual doors qualified to make the first cut,” Wininger said.

BRAG is asking that artists donate all of their silent-auction proceeds on their first painting to the Nicholson Center building fund.

If more than one painting is completed, the artist will set the price and will receive the standard 75 percent commission, according to organizers.

Interested artists can pick up an application at Bay Rivers Art Guild headquarters at 1704 Sixth St.

Those interested in submitting pictures of their doors are invited to bring a 4- by 6-inch photo to guild headquarters before Feb. 6.

Interested in taking pictures? Want more information about the project? Contact Wininger at 850-221-1323 or Swan at 802-6455.