Want a month of life coaching? You can get it if your the high bidder. Paintings, photos, life-coaching; these things and more are up for auction at the 30th Annual Art Auction at Maine College of Art (MECA).
The event, which benefits the Student Scholarship Fund, will auction off art from more than 150 artists. The art was donated to MECA from students, faculty, staff and friends. Among the works donated are; refreshing landscapes of Maine coastal retreats, challenging abstract paintings, bronze sculptures, photographs, prints, ceramics and works in various other media.
Lindsey Hancock, MECA special events manager said, “We accept all donations for the auction, with a few exceptions. There were no exceptions this year.”
Stand-outs of this year’s auction include; colorful abstract tangles in oil by Sean Foley, chair of MECA’s painting department; a nebulous, gouache painting by Katherine Bradford; and handbags made by Nicole Bsullak from recycled dictionaries.
“Last year, the handbags were very popular,” said Jessica Tomlinson, MECA’s public relations director. “There was a bidding war going on with them.” (I think a certain Free Press columnist would call them, “oh-so fabulous.”)
Alfred DePew is donating a month of personal life coaching, which is three 40-minute telephone conversations with Mr. DePew, valued at $350.
Sam Hayward, the Chef at Fore Street Restaurant, has donated a personally prepared dinner for 10 at your home.
Between 350 and 400 people attended last years auction, generating $75,000 for the Scholarship Fund.
The event is being held at the Porteous Building, 522 Congress St. A silent auction at 5:30 p.m. precedes the live auction that runs from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on October 22. The cost of admission to the event is $30, which includes food, beer and wine. There is a free auction preview on the 21 and 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.