Sr. Marilyn Soeder’s Downsizing Brings Unexpected Results to Tag Sale

Covered Bridge, Watercolor by Sr. Marilyn Soeder, DW

Although Sr. Marilyn Soeder is from the Huntington Station, NY community, when asked what motivated her to donate her art to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Convent's Sound Beach community for their recent Tag Sale, she said it had to do with opportunity. But not as one would imagine. The opportunity was not for exposure or money, but to downsize. Little did she know her art would bring in the most in sales or require public relations, but it did!

Here’s how she described her unexpected experience.

When asked what inspired her to sell her art, how she felt about the interest it received, and what kinds of conversations she had with those who purchased her pieces, Sr. Marilyn shared, “After 7-8 years of painting at the Senior Center, I had accumulated a lot of paintings. I gave some to family and friends, but many were in a large plastic bin in my bedroom. When I heard about the Tag Sale, I saw an opportunity to downsize. I was very surprised by the interest. I had the embarrassing thought that I might not sell any. I sold mostly watercolors and a few acrylics. I enjoyed the conversations some of the couples had with each other.  “Look, J… doesn’t this remind you of the place we visited in Italy?” or  “I think we need to change that painting in the living room.  How about this instead?”

Sr. Marilyn said while there at the Tag Sale, “Sr. Evelyn Lamoureux, who sat with me, was a great PR person.”

Sr. Marilyn’s experience at the Tag Sale is a testament to the unexpected joy and community that can come from sharing one’s creative work. Not only did her art find new homes, but the event fostered meaningful conversations and brought people together.