FORT KENT, Maine — The Fort Kent Public Library is hosting a local art auction later this month to help raise money for the facility.
The “Cabin Fever Art Auction” is set for Jan. 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and artists can donate pieces up until the day of the auction.
Library Director Andrew Birden said money raised via the auction will help with operating expenses such as heating and electricity, salaries, and purchasing books and office supplies.
“Proceeds from this event will have a significant impact on the library’s ability to continue serving the upper St. John Valley,” Birden said.
Birden last month also requested additional library funding from the Fort Kent Town Council. The town’s allocation in 2024 was $40,000, and Birden requested an additional $10,000 for 2025 to help pay for higher staff wages. Currently all of the staff, including Birden, make $15 per hour, which is just 35 cents higher than the state’s minimum wage.
The library’s total operating budget is $85,000, with the town’s contributions strictly covering wages. All other costs are covered through grants and fundraising efforts led by the affiliated group Friends of the Fort Kent Public Library.
Birden said the idea for the fundraiser came about last year while brainstorming with this group.
“Out of several possibilities we discussed, an art auction was one that appealed to everyone and felt like a unique and exciting experience in our region,” he said.
The “Cabin Fever” name came from the January date and from the region’s “legendary winters,” Birden said.
“We have about 15 total pieces so far, with at least half a dozen coming from local artists such as Lulu Pelletier, Sofia Birden, Rick Douglas, Joshua Biren, Terez Fraser, Cheryl Pelletier, and Pat Richard,” he said. “The others are from private collections.”
Birden said this is one of several fundraising events planned for the new year. The library’s nonprofit group is constantly working on raising funds for the facility. Future fundraising events will help the facility update its book collection and provide a wider range of services to accommodate growing usage at the library.
“The St. John Valley has a reputation for producing and attracting talented artists in all mediums, whether it is music, painting, fiber arts or computer graphics,” Birden said. “The talent that has rallied to support the library is a sheer delight to see. This is our first try at doing an art auction, but the buzz seems to be positive and our community embracing the mission of the library seems to be its motivating factor.”
