I'm personally encouraging each one of you to call, e-mail, or otherwise harass Bleu Cease, the director of Rochester Contemporary. But be nice - he's a good dude. Cease has decided to discontinue the beloved and successful "6x6" fundraiser, making last Saturday's event the second and final iteration. "Visitors asked about ‘6x6' throughout the last year on an almost daily basis," says Cease. Last year, "6x6" generated tons of enthusiasm and cooperation from all areas of the public, which might make you wonder what led to the decision to send it six-by-six feet under.

Cease says that he "didn't want it to get stale...or become just another annual event," but that he's been "surprised by how some people have resented the decision to end it." In effort to gain the public's perspective, he provided a comment book at the exhibition to solicit feedback. So when you see the show this month, make sure you let them know if you think they should nix it or keep it going annually.

The number of artworks donated should give you a hint at the project's popularity: more than 3,050 pieces blew away this year's goal of 2009 artworks. Donated artworks in diverse media, styles, and subject matter came in from 17 countries, including Malaysia, Japan, Australia, Croatia, and Poland, as well as 36 American states. The huge exhibition of small artworks is egalitarian in that any generous individual could donate work, but there was heavy competition both years among buyers for the recognizable art by famous names. Don't worry: the atmosphere was a bit tense, but competitors never resorted to fisticuffs.

Among this year's many renowned donors are Bill Viola, Judd and Julie Williams, Carl Chiarenza, Rick Hock, Joan Lyons, and Anne Havens. "But more importantly," Cease says, "really interesting ideas and gestures from all kinds of people [were] brought and mixed together." At the opening on Friday, June 5, the 6"x6" square artworks anonymously lined the gallery space and were offered for $20 each in a claim-it-first competition.

All proceeds from "6x6" help support Rochester Contemporary's ongoing programming, including upcoming exhibitions (Cease say that artist couples will be a side theme in upcoming shows) and the center's involvement in PLANT (Place, Land, Art & Architecture, Neighbors and Technology) exhibitions and events. PLANT is a community-wide initiative to share actions and ideas related to urban land use, urban greening, and public health.

As of Monday, June 8, 680 pieces have sold; Cease's goal is to sell 1500 pieces by the show's end date. If you missed the event and can't make it to the gallery before July 12, you can view and purchase the remaining artwork at the gallery or online, an aspect which is new to this year.

The online gallery was launched prior to the event, which served not only to get the buyers revved up, but enables out-of-towners to have access to the art. "It is wonderful that so many generous people will donate their works without planning to see the exhibition. I wanted to give them a change to also be a visitor and hopefully a buyer," Cease says. "The project has grown incredibly and putting the viewing and purchasing online was the next logical step." With 700,000 web hits in the first two days since the online gallery launched, it seems the gallery was on the right track.

I did not partake of the buying insanity during opening night this year. Instead I chose to identify my favorites among art I didn't recognize, and make note of whether or not they sold, and I'll choose one or two later. Among the works that caught my eye are a number of delicate abstract ink drawings on graph and lined paper, a series of photographs with desolate, ghostly-layered landscapes superimposed over one another, a group of awesome graffiti-esque colorful and graphic compositions, and an enigmatic photo of golden light pouring under a barely cracked doorway.

Aside from the fundraising aspect, the exhibit is important because it facilitates artistic connections between creators, buyers, critics, and the public. Sure, Paul Brandwein's wonderful pieces were recognizable, and each were snapped up immediately. But so were both of my mother's paintings, and so were a number of completely unknown artists' works. This opportunity to be discovered by your peers, or to discover fresh talent, is valuable to the future of our local art scene.

6x6x2009

Through July 12

Rochester Contemporary Art Center, 137 East Ave.

461-2222, rochestercontemporary.org

Wed-Sun 1-5 p.m. | $1