Wintergreen’s popular ‘chairity’ event returns

3 years ago

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Wintergreen Arts Center is bringing back its popular CHAIR-ity Auction event in November.  

The opening reception will be held Friday, Nov. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. during Presque Isle’s First Friday Art Walk. 

Crafters and artists may choose to create a piece of art from a chair they already own, or they may stop by Wintergreen and pick up a donated chair to decorate. 

Chelsea Cheney of Mapleton created her “Floral Dreaming” chair from an unfinished hand-me-down given to her by a friend.  “We are continuing to pass this [chair] along,” said Cheney.

“The CHAIR-ity event is the perfect way to support Wintergreen and the art community, in general, while also getting to create,” Cheney said.  “I love finding greater purpose for my favorite pastimes.”

Along with reinventing chairs, people are encouraged to repurpose something from around their home or yard. 

Gretchen Violette, Wintergreen’s board chair, took pieces from her refurbished deck and playhouse to create a coat rack which can also be used as a key and leash holder.

“I love a repurpose project,” Violette said.  “I’d love to have friends reinvent a chair, repurpose stuff, or buy the cool stuff up for bid.”

Bidding will start on Nov. 5 during the Art Walk and will end Friday, Nov. 19, at midnight.  Beginning Monday, Nov. 8, all items will be posted on Wintergreen’s Facebook page for online bidding.