By Megan Krause

Columbus artist Eric Lubkeman will bring light to the lives of children when The Lantern Party: A Series of New Paintings opens Aug. 16 at the Lyle Gallery, 615 E. Town St. A portion of all sales from this series will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Lubkeman decided to start giving back to the community 25 years ago, and donated art to organizations and events for auctions. Giving back not only helped the community, it also gave Lubkeman exposure that is essential in the art world. “The more I gave, the more I got,” he says.

Over the years, Lubkeman has contributed to various organizations in Columbus. His success as an artist encourages him to give back to the city that supports him. The Lantern Party is the first time Lubkeman will work with Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Make-A-Wish, which was founded in 1980, is the world’s largest wish granting organization. The foundation grants one wish of a child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition every 40 minutes.

In order to make these often costly wishes come true, the foundation needs financial support. The average wish costs about $6,200 to grant, according to the Make-A-Wish Foundation Web site. The foundation pays for the wish in full, which includes travel and spending money when needed.

Lubkeman says he may not be able to raise enough money for an entire wish, but he aims to make as much as possible. Despite today’s economy and the weakened art market, people are still supporting the arts in Columbus, Lubkeman adds.

The series that will benefit Make-A-Wish is a year’s worth of Lubkeman’s work. The Lantern Party is based on around 100 photographs he took at a party that was thrown in his neighborhood.

The idea of the party inspired him and gave him the imagery he wanted for his paintings. “I got there and it was exactly what I thought it was going to be,” Lubkeman says. “It was just incredible.”

The opening reception for the Lantern Party will be 6:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 16 at The Lyle Gallery. The following day, an opening brunch will be held from 1 to 4 p.m.

The Lantern Party will be on display at The Lyle Gallery, 615 E. Town Street, until Sept. 14. For more information, visit the gallery Web site at www.lylegallery.com.