The Achievement in the Arts Auction will be held Sunday to benefit an art award and endowment for Fayette County.
The auction, sponsored by the Fayette County Cultural Trust and the Connellsville Rotary Club, was started last year as a way to showcase the talent in the area and raise money to support new artists of the region by having their works auctioned off.
Michael Edwards with the Fayette County Cultural Trust said approximately $2,500 was raised at last year's auction. Approximately 60 items were auctioned off.
Edwards said $2,500 from two monetary gifts were made last year to help create the Fayette County Achievement in the Arts Endowment. The Community Foundation offered a one-to-three matching program.
“So the endowment is currently at $10,000,” Edwards said.
The Achievement in the Arts award program awards three seniors from each high school in Fayette County for their achievements in music, theater and visual arts.
Edwards said this year's auction will feature 70 items which have been handcrafted and donated by local artists.
Items on the auction block include jewelry, paintings, wood-crafted items, toys, dolls, framed photographs, gifts baskets, pottery and more.
“Everyone should be able to find something that they would like to bid on,” said Daniel Cocks, executive director of the Fayette County Cultural Trust. “It is not too early to start thinking of a special Christmas present and it supports a great cause.”
The auction will be held at Murphy Hall, 701 S. Pittsburgh St., Connellsville.
The doors will open at 2 p.m. so that guests can preview the items. The auction will begin at 3 p.m.
There is a $10 admission fee and refreshments will be served.
Tickets can be purchased at ArtWorks Connellsville, 139 W. Crawford Ave., Connellsville or through a Rotarian.
Edwards said the Achievement in the Arts Endowment is through the Community Foundation of Fayette County and donations can be added at any time.
Mark Hofmann is a staff writer with Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-626-3539 or mhofmann@tribweb.com.
