Auction nets

$4,100 for DBDA
By Frank Ruggiero
ruggiero@wataugademocrat.com

Does fame have a price?

Yes, and it’s $4,100.

At least, that’s the number the Downtown Boone Development Association gathered from its celebrity auction fundraiser last Thursday, Dec. 6.

The event was held to raise funds for the organization’s public art program, which seeks the beautification of downtown Boone by incorporating art in public places.

The latest manifestation can be seen near Boone Town Hall, where two sculptures were installed. A couple street gardens are slated for installation at the same spot, and funds from the auction will help that plan blossom.

The auction saw various local celebrities step onto the auction block with emcee and auctioneer Jenny Miller, who, during the daytime, serves as executive director of the High Country United Way.

Winners would not necessarily win the celebrity, but rather a service or specialty offered by the celebrity. For instance, Brook Greene with ASU’s Turchin Center for the Visual Arts offered a guided tour of the Turchin Center, including wine and one year’s membership, and was auctioned for $275.

Walsh Sisoukrath, owner of Cha Da Thai restaurant, offered a “Taste of Thailand” dinner party for six, which went for $250. A two-and-a-half hour pottery class for six with Bob Meier of Doe Ridge Pottery also went for $250.

Steve Frank with WECR offered the opportunity for a lucky winner to be a DJ for the day, while Bill “Fish” Fisher with Mountain Television Network auctioned off the co-host’s seat.

The DBDA also offered a silent auction, with other celebrity prizes including a one-hour personal coaching and modeling lesson with Mrs. N.C. America, dinner for two with wine at Gol! Express, where the fundraiser was held, and a gift card good for five classes at Neighborhood Yoga with Valerie Midgett.

“We were really excited with the turnout,” DBDA director Tuesdae Rice said. “From what I heard, everyone seemed to have a good time.”

And there were good deals to be had, said Mary Baker, assistant director of the DBDA. “It worked out very well, because in auctions, that’s the game,” she said. “We were really happy with how people bid and their support for the program.”

Area business owners and community members attended the event, as did Boone Town Council member Lynne Mason, who expressed her support for the public art program.

“I think it’s off to a great start, and there seems to be more community awareness,” Mason said. “I’m glad to see people incorporating more art into their developments, and it seems to be expanding around town. I’m so excited about this initiative, and I’m glad to see such a good outcome.”

Pre-sales raised $1,000 for the public art program, meaning $3,100 was raised during the auction.

“We had very positive feedback, and we look forward to doing it again in the upcoming years as an annual event,” Baker said.

Funding would also finance the development of a park/gateway area on the western end of downtown Boone, near the county human services complex, while future plans would see a heritage mural trail through downtown Boone, which would lead tourists on a mapped tour of murals in their various locations.

The DBDA is also paving the way for another fundraiser by selling personalized bricks to be installed in walking areas at the town hall street gardens. These bricks can be personalized with three lines of 20 characters each, and Rice said they’re ideal for businesses or memorials.

For more information, contact the Downtown Boone Development Association at (828) 262-4532.