The Rise Community Association rose to the occasion at its inaugural celebrity art auction Saturday.
Despite the rain, the event held under umbrellas set up on Freddy’s Patio at The Golf Club on The Rise, was a resounding success.
The Rise Community Association managed to raise $8,457 from the live auction of art, created by local celebrities with help from mentor artists, as well as from a Beachcomber patio set.
The auction results, and a portion of the event ticket sales, is going towards the purchase of new captain’s beds for Vernon Women’s Transition House.
“We are so overwhelmed with how much support The Rise and the auction supporters have given us,” said Allison Briggs, with the Vernon Women’s Transition House Society. “This will make a significant difference for the women and children staying at the Transition House.”
With Rise residents and amateur auctioneers Glen Carter and Rick Putz stepping in at the last minute to call out and receive the bids, the big winner of the night was a painting created by The Rise golf pro Lee Ranger and his mentor artist Kim Smith, which fetched $1,600.
Paintings by the Vernon Women’s Transition House Society’s Brooke McLardy, with her artist Linda Hunt, as well as realtor Lisa Salt, and mentor artist Eileen Sawracki, received $850 each, while Paralympic curler Sonja Gaudet and artist Lynne Gayan and up-and-coming artist Rachel Hofer, with painter Neil Erickson, received $500 and $550 for their works, respectively.
“The evening, despite the rain, was a huge success emotionally as well as financially,” said Jo-Ann Rasmussen, artist coordinator with The Rise Community Association. “Watching the event unfold really confirmed for my husband and myself that we chose the right community and the right town to spend this next phase in our lives.”
