Total bids are nearing the $4,500-mark in an online art auction to help increase respite care services hours available through the North Bay Alzheimer Society.
There are 42 items featured at www.smalltowntimes.ca with the event set to close at 7 p.m. tomorrow (Friday). It’s been running since Sept. 7 with most of the artwork on display during the sold-out Look, Listen and Laugh (Because Dementia Sucks) evening event at the Grande Event Centre Sept. 14.
See: A night of yuks, (Because Dementia Sucks)
Special guest Bob Wood, former Nipissing MP who was diagnosed recently with the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease, received a standing ovation after making the keynote address.
“I’m thrilled to see so many people here tonight and so many dollars being raised in an effort to increase the resources for respite care for families who are ‘living the dementia journey,’” Wood said. “We can bury our heads in the sand and pretend it’s not happening or we can hold our heads high and meet the challenges with dignity and with the love and support of family and friends.”
Leading the pack is a $425 bid for an iconic Jurgen Mohr abstract while the air-brush painting by Jeff Marceau, a purple elephant created in front of a live audience at the event, could go for $400. Donna Cushing’s Long Goodbye has a $350 offer while there’s been a bidding war on the 10-person, in-home Catering by Lucie donation hitting the $300 mark Thursday.
Other top-producing pieces so far include Keith Campbell’s signature ceramic plate set to go for $250, Edna Scot’s Birches is at $225, Karen McClusky’s Meet Me at the Pine is at $200, same as both of the framed photographs by Michael de Moree featuring Lake Nipissing and South River. Another bidding-battle has involved Pat Stamp’s stoneware tea-pot, which started at $40 and has gone to $200.
A package of eight piano lessons by Christine Fortin is up to $185, a private painting lesson in Jack Lockhart’s studio is at $175 and there is a $160 bid on a jazz evening set by Marco Souza. Most of the other items are set to be sold in the $40 to $100 range.
Some pieces may have the reserved bid lowered Friday afternoon.
Bids can be made via email: [email protected] or text (705) 498-2050 with name and contact information.
Charitable donations can be made to the North Bay Alzheimer Society or and online at http://alzheimer.ca/en/
