August 1, 2013
A record-breaking amount was raised once again at the third annual art auction to benefit the the old Orr's Island Schoolhouse.
A record-breaking amount was raised once again at the third annual art auction to benefit the the old Orr's Island Schoolhouse.
More than 50 items, including paintings, sculpture, photographs, jewelry and other artwork, were sold at the event, held July 6 at the old schoolhouse next to the Orr's and Bailey Islands Fire Department on Route 24 on Orr's Island. More than $7,000 was raised to help support the historic building.
“I'm happy to report that this year's auction was our best ever,” said Venise Minkowsky, who chairs the schoolhouse committee for the fire department, which manages the historic building. “We had something for everyone, from small ticket items like some pen & inks that sold for $20 to an oil painting that sold for over $1,000.”The biggest sale of the night was for a painting by noted Orr's Island artist Brad McFadden of the late Bim Doughty, a long-time well-known island resident and artist himself. After spirited bidding, the painting sold for $1,040 to an Orr's Island resident.
One of Doughty's own pieces, a prized half boat carving donated by his family, later sold for $375.
Other popular items included a $500 bird sculpture by Tim Carberry of Orr's Island; two paintings by the late Dick Herdegen of Bailey Island, which sold for over $400 each; two paintings by Lauren Andreach of Bailey Island, which sold for $350 a piece; and a commissioned work by Emily Leonard Trenholm, which went for more than $300.
This year's auction also featured several mini lunchboxes decorated especially for the event by several local artists. The biggest bids went for a box painted by Brad McFadden, followed by works by Dawn Prindall and VA Brown, Tom Budzinski, Lisa Burke and Tim McCreight.
“We owe a deep appreciation of thanks to all the artists who contributed, along with the people who came to participate in the auction,” Venise Miknowsky said. “It is wonderful to see so much support for preserving the schoolhouse, which is a real community treasure.” Participating artists in the event included Lauren Andreach, Doug Bane, Steve Black, Lisa Burke, Tom Brudzinski, Tim Carberry, Donna Coffin, May Cote, Norman Curtis, Dan Dostie, Gloria Doughty, Ruth Hartman, Dick Herdegen, Jed Hickson, Nancy Hill, Tom Jones, Sharon Jones, Heinz Lehman, Margaret Leonard, Lucy's Funky Fish, Tim McCreight, Brad McFadden, Scott Minkowsky, Kimball Page, Dawn Prindall and VA Brown, Jan Roberson, Zamy Steynovit and Emily Leonard Trenholm.
Ed Blain, chief of the Orr's and Bailey Islands Fire Department, once again served as auctioneer at the event.
An important part of Harpswell history, the building was originally a two-room school for island children. Now used for a variety of community, public and private events, the schoolhouse is self-supporting, depending on income from event rentals, fund raisers and donations to maintain the building and grounds.
Proceeds from this year's event will be used to fund ongoing projects at the schoolhouse, including painting, new flooring and other improvements.
For more information about the schoolhouse, or to inquire about rentals, please contact Venise Minkowsky at 833-7386 or visit orrsislandschoolhouse.com.