Aficionados step up at Pilchuck glass art auction
Published 3:37 pm Thursday, November 11, 2010
Now this was a fundraiser.
Sure, the economy is in the tank, but there were still people willing to spend at the Pilchuck Glass School’s 32nd Annual Auction.
They raised more than $1.2 million.
“I couldn’t be happier with the results,” Pilchuck Executive Director Jim Baker says.“The quality of the artwork donated this year is evidence that Pilchuck is evermore appreciated by artists who come through the school.”
Founded in 1971 by Dale Chihuly, Anne Gould Hauberg and John H. Hauberg, Pilchuck Glass School is an international center for education in the glass arts.
It is located on a former tree farm in Stanwood. It offers classes as well as residencies for artists working in all media.
Chap and Eve Alvord of Seattle were the honorary chairman and chairwoman and have supported the school for 15 years.
“Chap and Eve’s generosity is practically immeasurable,” Pilchuck Trustee Patricia Wallace says.
Baker says given the current economic climate, and the fact that a bulk of the operating budget comes directly from the auction, the stakes were high.
“We are thrilled to have done so well,” Baker says.
Auction items sold for amazing prices. Work by Shelly Muzylowski-Allen raised $22,000; work by Hiroshi Yamano raised $22,500 and “Chalk White Seaform Set with Oxblood Lip Wraps” by Chihuly garnered $35,000.
u u u
Joseph Collingwood, a Union Army captain, wrote home almost daily until he was mortally wounded in the Civil War. His wife saved those letters, and they eventually made their way to Whidbey Island in the care of Susan Collingwood Prescott.
Using the letters as a backdrop, historians Prescott and Michael Seraphinoff offer a Civil War program at 3 p.m. Thursday at Oak Harbor Library, 1000 SE Regatta Drive in Oak Harbor.
This program is free thanks to the support of Friends of the Oak Harbor Library.
u u u
Kids don’t mind mucking out the horse stalls.
It’s all part of the fun at the Sunday Saddle Club at Horse Country Farm in Granite Falls.
Riders are at the farm from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sundays. They ride, groom the steeds, saddle and care for their horse for a day.
It costs $60 per month for three Sundays, for ages 11 and older. For more information, call 360-691-7509.
Shannon Kennedy says to take along a sack lunch, a bottle of water and plenty of carrots for the horses.
Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451; oharran@heraldnet.com.
