Artists create unique purses for Arts Council fundraiser

April Nyman hopes she has her finger on the "purse strings" of arts patrons.

The executive director of the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County, who previously came up with idea of marketing artistic key chains, has organized a new fund-raiser called the Bag Lady Auction, set for Friday.

More than 50 purses, handbags, totes, clutches and carryalls - some fashioned out of unique objects like road signs and theater programs or featuring original artwork - will be offered in a silent auction. Mrs. Nyman is hoping to raise about $5,000 from the event.

"It's a unique way to raise money for the arts and maybe...