There's no shortage of talented artists who have called Columbia home. Some of their work will be featured at Columbia Public Library's second annual art auction on Sunday, May 15. A preview will occur inside the library, 24 S. Sixth St., beginning at 1:30 p.m., and the auction will start at 3 p.m. on the library terrace, weather permitting. Lite fare and beverages will be served.
"There will be something for everybody," said Karen Spina, a member of the auction committee. "We're selling about 10 pieces that are being deaccessioned from the library's permanent collection." Additional pieces up for auction will include works by Wilfred Ferguson and items donated by local families. "These are very generous donations of (works by) gallery-caliber artists," Spina noted. Several oil paintings depicting local scenery will be refurbished and reframed before the sale, with services provided by Garth gallery in Columbia.
Along with live bidding, the auction will feature a buy-it-now table. "We'll have art and books and Columbia memorabilia," Spina stated. The event will also feature a silent auction of seven homemade cakes presented in vintage glass cake stands. "These will be made from ladies in town who are good home bakers," Spina said. "There will be a good variety of flavors."
This is the second art auction at the library. The first was held in September of last year. Going forward, the event will be held annually on the Sunday after Mother's Day.
The library has a large collection of artwork, some of which is displayed throughout the building and some of which is in storage. "The deaccessioning process is always a bit painful," said Steve Sherk, library board president. "However, it's also gratifying to know that these treasures will hang in homes and businesses where they will be admired and appreciated. In addition, the funds raised at ... the auction will enable the library to conserve and display important pieces in its permanent collection."
The first auction raised more than $10,000 for the library, much of which was used to condition the space where the permanent collection is stored. This year's proceeds will go toward restoration and conservation of a Lloyd Mifflin piece that hangs in a room off the lobby.
Cle Berntheizel, founder of Garth gallery and a member of the auction committee, encouraged everyone to come out for the auction. "It's a way to get local art out into the community," he stated. "It's a nice annual event we can do to help the library."
Spina agreed, adding, "It's free, so why not come? There's free food and free music from Columbia School of Music. It's going to be a nice community day."
For more information and to see some of the works being auctioned, visit https://columbiapubliclibrary.org/art-auction or follow the library's Facebook page. Sponsorship opportunities are available to help underwrite auction costs. For more information, contact Robin Gamby at 717-575-9032 or rcgamby@comcast.net.
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