OBERLIN — They’re only bowling pins, but the “Pins of Art” decorated in fantastical fashion by artists are designed to promote the biggest fundraiser of the year for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lorain County.

Consuelo Deus, of Elyria, and Jessica Hodge, of Avon, were among the artists decorating the bowling pins, which were unveiled Thursday at Oberlin College’s Weltzheimer/Johnson House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

“Art is a way to express feelings, and it evokes feelings in people,” said Deus, who was involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program herself more than 20 years ago while growing up in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Her Big Sister, a woman named Cathy, was smart enough to recognize that her “little” had a keen interest in the visual arts.

“We designed an art book together, and it was about us,” Deus said. “Brooklyn is a really tough town, so I used art as an escape.”

The decorated pins were designed to create excitement for the Bowl for Kids’ Sake fundraiser planned for March 31 at Brunswick Zone Bowling Center in North Ridgeville.

The pins also will help raise funds when they are auctioned off on the website www.bowlbigforkids.org, according to Marcus Madison, resources development and communications officer for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

He said Deus created three colorful Latin-inspired “divas,” and other artists created pins including a peacock and a scary Medusa.

He said his favorite is probably an owl pin created by Jessica Hodge, who titled it “Raggedy Mr. Feathersby” after her cat got hold of it.

“I chiseled the stomach and put feathers on it, and I used jewels for the eyes,” Hodge said.

Madison said the goal is to raise $38,500 compared with the $33,000 raised last March in order to help make up for the loss of $26,410 in federal funding for the organization’s Mentoring Children of Prisoners program, which serves 45 children.

There are 225 “littles” served by the “bigs” who volunteer as mentors, and the nonprofit agency operates on a total yearly budget of $305,761, Madison said.

Bowl for Kids’ Sake

• Why: To raise $38,500 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lorain County.
• When: 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. March 31.
• Where: Brunswick Zone Bowling Center in North Ridgeville.
• How: Companies and individuals put together five-member teams, and each bowler signs up at least $50 in online sponsorships from friends, relatives, neighbors and co-workers.
• More info: Call Marcus Madison at (440) 277-6541, visit www.bowlbigforkids.org or email marcus@bigloraincounty.org.

Contact Cindy Leise at 329-7245 or cleise@chroniclet.com.

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