The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

July 8, 2012

Theater opens curtain on annual art auction

Catered dinner, custom costumes also up for sale

By Tina Alvey Register-Herald Reporter

LEWISBURG — Patrons of the arts will have the perfect opportunity to indulge in that particular passion when Greenbrier Valley Theatre has its 18th annual art auction later this month.

“This is our most important event of the year,” says Pam Paul, GVT’s general manager.

The fundraiser, which will be staged at the theater the evening of July 14, actually involves two auctions — one silent and one live — doubling the fun for participants.

Among the items open for bids are paintings, photographs, jewelry, furniture, travel packages and even a dinner catered in the winning bidder’s home by a chef from the Greenbrier Sporting Club.

“The auction offers experiences as well as art objects,” Paul remarks. “And that includes a few special items only we could offer.”

She explains that a costumer at the theater will create two custom costumes for one lucky person.

Already displayed around the GVT lobby are dozens of artworks, representing a variety of styles, that will be offered in this year’s auction.

An oil painting by June Perkins Anderson, an acclaimed artist who lives in Greenbrier County, hangs near Pennsylvania artist David DiPietro’s “Reflections,” an oil on paper, and “Americana Suite III” by Max Hay-slette, who went on to international fame from humble beginnings in Rainelle.

A pair of framed Greenbrier Classic flags — one signed by 2010 winner Stuart Appleby and the other by 2011 champ Scott Stallings — are among the quirkier items on display.

Those interested in a leisurely stroll through what could be termed a “pop-up” gallery — similar to the pop-up restaurants that spring up in cities for a day, a week or a month — are welcome to visit GVT during business hours, Paul says. Most days, public hours run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A box is provided in the lobby for the deposit of bid slips by people who take a fancy to an item on the silent auction slate but who will not be able to attend the auction.

Although the number of items auctioned could surge at the last moment, Paul says, based on previous auctions, she expects more than 100 items to be offered in the live auction and 60 to 75 in the silent.

The auction evening will kick off at 6 p.m. with a beverage and hors d’oeuvres party, followed by the auction at 7 p.m. Admission to the party is $10 per person, an amount that can be applied toward the purchase of any auction item.

Steve Hunter will serve as the auctioneer.

“The money raised goes to (GVT’s) unrestricted funds,” Paul explains. “It’s very helpful to us, and it’s a lot of fun.”

For more information on the auction, contact Greenbrier Valley Theatre at 304-645-3838 or visit www.gvtheatre.org. The theater is located at 113 E. Washington St. in Lewisburg.

— E-mail: talvey@register-herald.com

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