Recent History – 2002
April 8, 2002
By Jamie Dirom, Daily News Staff
Members of the South Peace Arts Society are happy with the results of the group’s annual art auction, after the event raised more than $15,000 Friday.
“We’re very pleased,” said Angela Fehr, the society’s vice-president.
As he has for more than 20 years, Ken Haverland volunteered his service as auctioneer for the event, keeping the crowd entertained and doing his best to squeeze every last bid he could from those on hand.
Despite the defiant shaking of heads by bidders who felt they’d reached their limits, Haverland would goad them into just one more bid with quips like “it’s only money” and, “you almost scared her there.”
Fehr said his contribution to the event was appreciated as always, and it helped the society get the most out of the event.
“Once he gets them all warmed up, their wallets just get a-going,” she said.
And while Haverland was attraction enough, the auction was also an excellent showcase for much of the area’s quality art. Sixty pieces were auctioned off in the live auction, in addition to numerous silent auction items.
The two biggest moneymakers in the bidding came from local artists. Stormrunner, a Don Pettit photo featured in his recently published book, The Peace: An Exploration in Photographs, went for $850.
An untitled sculpture by Emily Mattson took in the most money on the evening, selling for $2,900 to local doctor Peter Boronowski.
“It’s really great,” Fehr said. “They’re both really talented local artists.”
She added that the society appreciates the donations of art it gets from all its artists, who are very generous in their support of the auction, as well as the financial support it receives from the bidders.
“As an artist myself, I really appreciate it,” she said.
In total, the items up for bid raised more than $15,000, with more revenue generated through ticket sales.
Art gallery curator Ellen Corea said that after the society’s costs are factored in, the evening will have raised in the neighbourhood of $15,000.
The money raised through the auction, which is the society’s main fundraiser for the year, will go towards the art gallery’s operational costs, as well as many of the educational programs the society offers.
“I thought the crowd was wonderful,” Corea said.