ArtsNatchez Gallery at 425 Main St., is gearing up for its second silent auction, just in time for holiday gift giving!

We received our first two donations last week and are ready for more, so feel free to bring them to the gallery or call one of the numbers below if you prefer pick up from your home.

It’s a win-win-win proposition. Shoppers win with huge bargains because the opening bid for each item is only $5. ArtsNatchez wins funds for its gallery operations and education-community outreach programs to promote visual arts in the greater Natchez area. Donors win a tax credit while getting rid of things they no longer use, so clean out a closet and save on your taxes!

ArtsNatchez is a 501(c) (3) organization and will provide a signed receipt of gift with its tax ID number for your donation upon request. Founded in April 2008, the gallery of local artists is a nonprofit membership organization managed by a board of directors.

Every artist works at the gallery one day each month and serves on one of four committees that tend to day-to-day activities of running a business.

We will accept any type of decorative items including but not limited to original art of any medium, silver, china or kitchen pieces, lighting, small pieces of furniture, pottery, prints and posters, and even outdoor yard art.

Basically, the sky’s the limit as long as it’s decorative and worth at least $5, and there’s just no telling what you’ll find this year!

The Art Treasures Silent Auction last year transformed the back room at ArtsNatchez Gallery.

Not only was there artwork of all types on the walls, but also table after table displaying a multitude of items such as original signed pottery pieces, odd pieces of china, even a set of 1950s art books.

We sold a number of lamps, glassware, silver/silver plate and pewter trays and bowls, along with old jewelry.

ArtsNatchez added more than $5,000 to its coffers from the sales!

The auction will be set up during mid to late November and final bids will be taken on Dec. 10 at the Second Saturday reception starting at 6 p.m.

You don’t have to be present to win. For more information, call ArtsNatchez Gallery at 601-442-0043 or me at 601-442-1722 or 601-493-4106.

Mary Ann Spell is an organizer of the ArtsNatchez Gallery’s silent auction.