MOUNT VERNON — Saturday’s art auction on the steps of Mount Vernon City Hall generated more than $5,796, proceeds that will go to the artists as well as Mount Vernon’s Music and Arts Festival.
The highest bid item, a hand carved coffee table featuring the viaduct in downtown Mount Vernon, sold for $1,1000 to McDaniel CPA. McDaniel CPA is a tax preparation service in Mount Vernon, and the piece will be displayed in its office on West Ohio Avenue.
Artist Scott Waters crafted the highest bid piece, which he made from trees removed from Mount Vernon’s downtown square.
The pieces auctioned off Saturday were a part of the inaugural “Festival Challenge,” which involved repurposing items, such as antique chairs, an old piano from Mount Vernon High School, and five aging trees harvested from Public Square this spring.
The community members who participated in the challenge, 20 total, created 43 items. These items included tables, chairs, bowls and other wooden creations.
Another high bid item included a wooden table, made from a buckeye tree, which sold for $750. The table, made by Carrie Haver, is filled with resin, teal color pigment and silver glitter, and is paired with black metal hairpin legs.
Other high bid items included a handmade wooden chess set by Valerie Price, which sold for $525, and an abstract carved wall-hanging, which sold for $420.
ohn Ruckman served as the event’s auctioneer. Throughout the auction, Ruckman encouraged auction attendees to continue bidding.
When someone shook their head, indicating they were not willing to bid on a higher price, Ruckman often said “now is your moment” or “wrong answer” to urge them to continue bidding.
When people did not continue bidding, however, he thanked them for their efforts, often saying “thank you for what you did.”
Auction pre-bidding began on Aug. 7 and ended Saturday at 3 p.m. ahead of the auction. Pre-bids were used as starting bids at the live auction, which lasted from roughly 7 to 8 p.m.
Buyers took home small items during the event and have until 3 p.m. Sunday to pick up the large items.
