FORT KENT, Maine – The Fort Kent Public Library is holding an auction for a special collection of locally selected art pieces. The art, which includes paintings, photographs, quilts and other mediums, will be on display at the library through January, with the silent auction occurring on Friday, January 17 at 5:30.
Les Amis de la Bibliothèque Publique de Fort Kent/The Friends of the Fort Kent Public Library are organizing the event. Friends Chair Dana Appleby said, “The St. John Valley has so much talent and the Fort Kent Public Library is such a beautiful landmark that this event is perfect to showcase both.”
Director Andrew Birden said, “A few months ago we started reaching out to the local artists and other artists with a connection to our community. They have stepped up to donate their time and talent to help the library. This is our first art auction, and if it works out, it could become an annual event. We are calling it the Cabin Fever Art Auction.”
All proceeds from the auction will go to fund the library’s operation.
Les Amis Treasurer Madeline Soucie said, “This is a great way to showcase local talent as well as support your local library that touches so many lives and provides important resources to our community.”
Library usage has been growing for the past two years, said Birden. The strain on the resources to meet the challenge of higher costs and usage has prompted innovation in fundraising.
While the history of some of the pieces is unknown, coming from collections across the St. John Valley, all the works have an interesting story..
“We have colored pencil art reminiscent of the work of Richard Scarry, a renowned children’s book writer and artist. We have surrealist landscapes, images of famous local landmarks and renditions of local historical events,” Birden said.
He added, “We reached out to many artists and collectors, but If there are creators in the Valley that we missed or art collectors who would like to donate a piece from their personal gallery, we would love to talk with you.”
The art is available for viewing during regular library hours. Birden has set up Chromebooks in the viewing area so a visitor can focus on a favorite art piece and explore it as a digital jigsaw puzzle. “I was looking for a way to make the art show more interactive, and digital jigsaw puzzles seemed to be the way to go.
To learn more information about individual pieces and to participate in the auctions, visit the Fort Kent Public Library, call the library at 207-834-3048 or contact Dana Appleby at danam.appleby@gmail.com.
