The ArtsNatchez Gallery at 425 Main Street is gearing up for its annual silent auction fundraiser; however we’re tweaking it just a tad.

In an effort to make the event a bit more of an up-market affair, we’re requiring that donations command an opening bid of $15 rather than $5 as in the past. This will hopefully make the whole shopping experience a bit more enjoyable, like strolling through a quirky gift shop just loaded with unique home décor, but with lower prices.

The concept is still the same win-win-win proposition. Shoppers “win” with big bargains because the opening bid for each item is only $15. ArtsNatchez “wins” funds for its gallery operations and education-community outreach programs to promote visual arts in the greater Natchez area. Donors “win” a charitable tax deduction while getting rid of things they no longer use. So clean out a drawer or 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 of 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 the business.

Our treasured gallery has been hanging on by the proverbial thread the last year or two, so we could really use your shopping help!

Items already donated include a lovely (and large) Italian porcelain piece by Keramos R. Capidimonte, which is a handled, lidded vase complete with cherub on top. Also available are four, signed serigraphs by Texas-born, now Santa Fe artist Amado Pena, recognized as an Artisan of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona.

These serigraphs date from 1979 to 1982 and are in excellent condition. Two framed, limited-edition prints by James Reynolds will be on hand for your horse or general outdoors lovers! We also just received a lovely Spanish porcelain by Lladro milk as well as a Jerry Oxley pencil drawing of an egret. And we’re just getting started!

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

We will make arrangements to fetch any items you might be dying to get rid of, or you can bring them directly to the gallery and drop them off.

There will be an auction committee to examine the donated items to determine if they qualify for our new criteria of a $15 minimum bid. If the committee decides that we can’t use them, they will be donated to another charity so your tax write-off will still be valid.

One of the most delightful things about this auction is that each year is totally different from the last. The Art Treasures Silent Auction will transform the back room at ArtsNatchez Gallery; not only will there be artwork of all types on the walls, but also table after table displaying a multitude of items from which to choose.

In previous auctions, we’ve sold piles of prints, paintings and pottery, loads of lamps, gaggles of glassware, services of silver/silver plate and pewter trays and bowls, along with jazzy old and new jewelry.

The auction will be set up by May 25 with bidding available immediately, and final bids will be taken on June 13th 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.

 

Mary Ann Spell is a board member of ArtsNatchez.