The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Art Around the Box gala featured out-of-the-ordinary auction items
MORRIS >> The sixth annual Art Around the Box gala to benefit the Morris Public Library, held Saturday, March 25, was deemed a huge success with an approximate income of $8,700 for the library. Organizer Tracy Martin noted that the attendance of more than 125 people was about double compared to past fundraisers.
“The beautifully rustic venue of the White Barn at SouthFarms undoubtedly helped to build this crowd,” she said.
Cody Martin, Nicole Simmons and Hailey Lovallo were the volunteer runners, displaying each of the auction items to the large crowd of bidders. Ronnie Gantz, a friend of organizer Tracy Martin, came from New Jersey to join her as co-auctioneers and Tracy Martin said she was happy with the partnership.
“Out of 75 items in both silent and live auctions, only five items went unsold,” she said. “One of the more unusual items on the block was a Little Free Library that sold for $100 and will be going in the community garden at the Brass City Charter School in Waterbury.”
Rose Buckens explained that the small lending library box is already registered with littlefreelibrary.org and will be installed by her team.
“We are also filling the library with books and adding it to the list of 32 Little Free Libraries to ultimately be installed throughout Northwest Connecticut,” she said.
A silent auction featured art prints, artists’ proofs, and a working model of a Steampunk Ray Gun created by Denis Williamson and Elizabeth Wolff. The reverse geocache Mystery Puzzle Box returned for a journey that promises to sweep the lucky high bidders on a delightful trip to unlock its destination and claim its prizes.
A stay at the renowned Winvian resort in Morris valued at $750 was one of the sought-after items, as well as an 80th birthday edition American Flag guitar signed by Charlie Daniels, a collection of leather-bound classic books, and pieces of sports memorabilia including New England Patriots crystal barware and a Steelers suede jacket. Imaginatively painted and decorated keepsake boxes, birdhouses, even churches with spires were created by many local artists including Fran and Mary Erin Clem, Yvette and Anne Haas, Lori Barker, Gabrielle Ammirati, Abbey Warren, David Hoffman, Chantee Jacques, John Johnson, Tracy Martin and Rose Buckens, among many others.
Pete Graham traveled from New Haven specifically to purchase a signed Les Paul Sunburst electric guitar, the highest priced item at $1,625. He shared his hobby of collecting guitars, playing them, and even building his own cigar-box guitars.
Many volunteers from the library board and Friends of the Library provided wine, a full buffet of savory foods and a sumptuous array of sweets for the festivities. The acoustic band Tapestry also reunited for one day to add music to the ambiance of the lively event. Morris First Selectman Tom Weik and his family joined the overflow crowd, all in support of the Morris Public Library.
Tracy Martin summed up the evening. “People in attendance were relaxed, enjoying the event, and chatting happily all the way out the door with their prizes under their arms. This was a wonderful success thanks to SouthFarms, all the volunteers who made the magic happen, the artists and donors, and especially everyone who joined us in the fun of Art Around the Box.”