For the Love of Art

Over a number of decades, Mimi and Ian Rolland collected art throughout Fort Wayne and around the world. The couple built an eclectic mix and their children say their mother, Mimi, wanted everyone to be able to have and enjoy art.

“Mom had a special creativity, and she frequented local art shops, studios, galleries and festivals,” says Carol Rolland, one of the Rolland’s five children. “She was especially curious about how art was done.”

Carol says Mimi could go through her art collection and talk about every artist, where the piece was purchased and what she learned about the piece from its creator. 

“Mom appreciated art in all mediums, from painting and sculpture to glass, ceramics and jewelry,” Carol says. “Even in her 80s, Mom was still visiting studios and festivals. At the age of 86, she even took two workshops with Ruth Koomler, a local artist. The paintings she created in those workshops will be available in our upcoming live auction.”

Mimi’s taste evolved over time, yet always remained eclectic. 

“Yes, Dad would sometimes choose art, but he really let Mom’s style fill our home. Art reflected their lives, and it was a vital part of Mom’s life,” Carol says. “As she added new art pieces, Mom would rearrange rooms, put some pieces away for a time, and give others to family and friends. Because she wanted everyone to be able to have art, she would buy art for others as she visited galleries and festivals, too.”

Family members ate meals on handcrafted tableware and they all treasure the art Mimi passed on as gifts over the years. Later, when Mimi and Ian moved to a smaller home, they held an art auction. Those proceeds were donated to East Wayne Street Center in Fort Wayne.

“As a family, we realized that the best thing we could do was hold another art auction, sharing the joy of their art with those in our community,” Carol says. “My siblings, Cheri, Larry, Bob and Sara, want to reinforce the importance of art in life as we share our parents’ collection with others.”

Rolland Fine Art Auction: Online Now & Live April 20, 2024
The Ian and Mimi Rolland Fine Art Auction offers multiple ways to share the Rolland’s joy of art and bring that art into your life. All proceeds from the auction will be placed in the Ian & Mimi Rolland Family Foundation. 

The Rolland Family Foundation was started by the Rollands to ensure that their resources would continue to support the worthy not-for-profit organizations they believed in. Those include, but are not limited to, East Wayne Street Center, Fort Wayne Rescue Mission, Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana, Matthew 25 Health and Care, Turnstone, and Wellspring Interfaith Social Services, for example.

“This multi-part Fine Art Auction is important because it will further the giving spirit Mom and Dad shared with others over the years,” says Carol. “Mom especially loved collecting art and spreading artistic joy. Now, the proceeds from the art she and Dad collected will allow our family to continue supporting the Fort Wayne community.”

One aspect of the Rolland Fine Art Auction is now open online at: rollandfamily.home.qtego.us

In the current Online Silent Auction, the art pieces are segmented into categories: Ceramics, furniture, glass, lamps, mixed media, Native American art, painting and sculpture. Photos, descriptions and detailed information about each artist are posted with each piece. Interested buyers can register to bid and follow the bidding until it closes on April 20 at the end of the live auction, which will be held that evening.

On April 20, 2024, from 5:30-8:30 p.m., the Silent Auction will continue at the Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana headquarters located at 550 E. Wallen Road in Fort Wayne. The Online Silent Auction items will be onsite, and bidding will continue through the evening. Tickets to the onsite event are $30 per person and can be purchased online at rollandfamily.ticket.qtego.us/tickets/list

Also onsite will be an instant Buy Now event that will begin at 5:30 p.m. Hundreds of items, ranging from $5-100, will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Pieces large and small will be displayed for instant purchase, including handcrafted coffee mugs and tableware, clocks, paintings, metal sculptures and art in a mix of other mediums.

A Live Auction will follow, featuring six special pieces of art and a unique five-piece group of paintings described as “Five encaustic paintings created by Mimi Rolland in her late 80s. Mimi Rolland was always up for new experiences and adventures. She always used her creativity in her music playing and interior design. Joined by family and friends, she attended two workshops with artist Ruth Koomler. As you can see, she always had an eye for color, especially blue.” 

Comments