BID FOR GREATNESS: Arts organization plans second online auction

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Alice Hedden, president of Hancock County Arts, is gearing up for the Auction for the Arts event that kicks off on Sept. 1. A multitude of items will be up for auction online through Oct. 16, to raise funds for the local nonprofit.

GREENFIELD — Hancock County Arts members are hoping a little friendly bidding competition pays off big this year for the nonprofit’s second annual online art auction, Auction for the Arts, which kicks off Sept. 1.

Everything from flying lessons to a meal cooked by a private chef will be up for bid to raise funds for the arts council and the Twenty North Gallery it maintains in downtown Greenfield.

Alice Hedden, president of the Hancock County Arts board of directors. set a lofty goal of raising $20,000 this year.

“Go big or go home,” she said.

The artist said there’s a lot of fun auction items up for bid this year, two tickets to the INDYCAR Grand Prix and a family membership to the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfield’s.

Local auction items donated so far this year include a gift basket from Greenfield Chocolates, a Fall Fun Pass for four to Tuttle’s Orchard and art lessons from local painter Sandy Hall.

The online auction is run by Bidding for Good, which sends an alert to people’s phones when they’ve been outbid.

The online auction reaches bidders throughout the United States. Last year, the arts council shipped items to winners in seven different states.

“We also received an auction item from a comedian in New York that was sold to a bidder in Virginia,” said Hedden.

“Right now we have about 50 items, but we hope to get many more,” she said.

At the end of last year’s auction, Hedden was huddled up in the gallery with 10 other people as the final minutes ticked down for the online auction, which raised $4,000.

“It was fun to watch. Some of the people in the room were bidding against each other,” she said.

This year, the arts council plans to end the auction with a “Celebration of Arts” soiree, held at the Bradley Hall Ballroom and Events Venue on Oct. 16.

The party will feature live music and a cash bar, as well as appetizers and desserts.

Hedden hopes many will plan to come out and help Hancock County Arts celebrate, and of course, drive up those last minute bids.

Donations of items to be auctioned off will be accepted up until the last day of the auction. Gift certificates, gift baskets, artwork and handmade crafts are all welcome.

“Last year we had a painted table that was very cool,” said Hedden.

The more the auction makes, the more Hancock County Arts will benefit, she said. The nonprofit hopes to extend its reach into the community, and bring back popular events that have been canceled or minimized over the past 18 months, like workshops and educational programming.

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Hancock County Arts is hosting an online auction Sept. 1 through Oct. 16.

A number of items are up for bid, from flying lessons to weekend retreats.

A “Celebration of Arts” will be held from 6:30 to 10 p.m. as the auction winds down on Oct. 16, at the Bradley Hall Ballroom & Events Venue, at 2 W. Main St. in downtown Greenfield.

Tickets are $20 per person, or $10 per person for Hancock County Arts members.

The celebration will feature live music, a cash bar and a 50/50 raffle.

Three sponsorship levels are available for the celebration, for $250, $500 and $1,500 respectively.

To view and bid on auction items, visit biddingforgood.com/hancockcountyarts.

To donate items to be put up for auction, contact Hancock County Arts at [email protected].

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