Thank you for supporting auction

To the editor:

Thank you once again to our Arts Place supporters.

The Jay County Campus of Arts Place recently held its “All Spruced Up” 39th Annual Holiday Benefit Auction on Friday, Nov. 19.

Thanks to our supporters for donating their time and treasures to support and recognize the power of the arts within our community.

I am delighted to report that due to your generosity, the auction raised $22,006.11. That is the fifth-highest result since the inaugural auction in 1983. The funding supports programs and services such as MusicWorks, Arts in the Parks, exhibits and performances.

I would like to thank Arts Place staff, Carolyn Carducci, director of development and records; Erin Weirrick, sales and marketing coordinator; executive director Eric Rogers; the Holiday Benefit Auction Committee members, Anni McClung, Cindy Denney, Michele Bichette Goldman, Bonnie Maitlen, Sarah Lingo and Mindy Weaver; our board members; the staff; Jay County Beverage for providing the drinks for the evening; Sarah Lingo for the wonderful bistro boxes; Loy Auctioneering; Rob Weaver at WPGW; Bailey Cline at The Commercial Review; the German Club; Jay County Humane Society; and all of the volunteers who helped make the event possible.

So many businesses, artists and private donors contributed to the auction with traditional as well as creative and innovative gifts. Many thanks to our bidders, both veterans and newcomers, who came out to support the auction with their generous bids.

Art Place binds us, strengthens our community’s character, brings people together physically at exhibits in our gallery and performances in Hall-Moser Theatre. It engages our youth through ArtsWorks, MusicWorks and Arts in the Parks classes. This place helps us form connections with others, and it tells a community’s shared story.

We hope you can join us for next year’s auction. Our 40th Annual Holiday Benefit will be held on Friday, Nov.18, 2022.

Art is too important not to share, so thank you all for sharing your support for Arts Place.

Kristen Gibson

2021 Holiday Benefit Auction Committee chair