Silent auction underway in Natchez

Published 12:13 am Friday, November 30, 2018

You have a globe-spanning opportunity to shop in downtown Natchez at the ninth yearly silent auction by ArtsNatchez.

Generous donors have provided more than 230 items from countless countries. Bidding is well underway and will wind up on Dec. 8 with an 11th-hour flurry of bidding.

Let’s go on a tour of some of the international offerings at the gallery at 425 Main St. You will notice that the items up for bid are punctuated by some 10 globes, including a five-globe mobile and one that produces a soft light.

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Representing Africa, a Masai herdsman is seen in a painting on your right as you enter the gallery.

From Peru, a painting of the Madonna in traditional style of painting that is accented with gold.

Central America is represented with hand-beaded bracelets and a folk art carving of Saint Francis, both from Guatemala.

Bowls and coasters in blue and white are from Portugal as are small hand-painted trays.

A delicate flower brooch is from Harrods in London England.

Souvenirs of a trip to China are thoughtfully boxed.

Closer to home, a painting that can only be described as Voodoo Art, comes framed in driftwood with the dark images in a bayou which are embellished with stones.

LSU is well represented with Geaux Tigers ice bucket, scoop and pitcher as well as platters.

The holiday hostess will find Wilton Armetale serving pieces, including a chip-and-dip and platters. Also available is glassware and china.

If your home could use a little brightening during these dark winter months the auction may have what you’ve been looking for. We have about a dozen lamps from floor lamps to bedside, from fanciful, to stylish modern black-and-brass. For a romantic touch candlesticks are also up for bid.

Not to be overlooked is a chandelier — still in the packing box. Just slide it into your vehicle.

You can come in and look over the hundreds of items at your leisure and place your bids. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

While you are in the gallery take a look at the works by Natchez artists in the front two display areas. The featured artists for December are Polly Ireland, a potter and Robin Person, a jewelry maker. All of the pieces by the 30 some artists on exhibit are for sale too. They might be just what you are looking for to liven up your home.

This annual auction helps ArtsNatchez with the $1,000 to $1,200 monthly costs to operate the gallery, which is manned by the artists volunteering their time.

We are a 501 (c) (3) organization, and like any non-profit we rely on the financial support of our patrons and the donors/bidders at our auction. These are the two fundraisers we use to keep the doors open and the lights on all year long.

The community has been generous in donating items for the auction. Year after year we have been given items from the attic, the basement or the garage. They may not be needed by the original owner, but they are needed by ArtsNatchez. And we are happy to have them.

We will take donated items up to the final day of bidding. We’ll fit them in.

The auction wraps up with a free wine and refreshment reception, starting at 6 p.m. on Dec. 8.

Oh, and there is a small wingback chair, and. …

Frank Gresock is on the board of ArtsNatchez.