GOING...GOING...GONE! 34th Annual Benefit Auction

Join us for brunch, spirits and a good time when David Little amuses and entertains as he auctions over 150 lots of local arts and crafts. All proceeds benefit the Toe River Arts Council.

Sunday, August 14

Silent Auction and Preview, noon - 1:30 pm
Live Auction, 1:30-3:30pm
$20 Admission

Saturday, August 13

Meet the Artists Reception, 3-6pm

August 6-13

Auction Preview Exhibit, 10-5pm

All Auction events take place at the TRAC Spruce Pine Gallery, 269 Oak Avenue, Spruce Pine , NC 28777.

View this year's auction items.

Last year close to 150 items were contributed that included artwork from around 14 local glass artists, 35 potters, 12 jewelers, and 11 painters. Local artists and craftsmen also donate baskets, handmade books, handmade paper art, various textile items from quilts to scarves, photographs, handmade paper art, various prints, sculptures, stained glass and various items made from wood. This year the auction will also feature some "fun" packages with an airplane ride, a stay in a cabin in Pigeon Forge, and a nights stay at the Terrell House in Burnsville coupled with an art activity of making a bird house with artist Rolf Holmquist. Some of the work is included in the Silent Auction and around 50 in the Live Auction.

The Auction, with its theme "Enrich Your Life: Support The Arts!" signifies the important position arts plays in making our lives and communities more vibrant and rewarding. Our communities are the home to over 500 artists and craftsmen, and many support the work of the Toe River Arts Council through the auction and other activities of TRAC. We are grateful for their continued and generous support.

It all gets under way at 12 noon on Sunday, August 14 with the Preview Party and Silent Auction, which this year will take place in an adjoining empty storefront in Spruce Pine. The Silent Auction, where competitive bidding is conducted in writing, is always a popular area. At 1:30 the Silent Auction closes, bidding sheets are collected, the crowd will walk next door, and the live auction begins.

David Little, TRAC's auctioneer, begins the auctioning of the close to 50 items in the live auction just after the Silent Auction closes around 1:30. He plays with the crowd by amusing and delighting. After an exceptionally competitive bidding, the crowd roars and he gets a round of clapping. He's quick, and in less than two hours the Auction is over and the people are happily picking up their new acquisitions.

A free preview of the Auction take place August 6 through the Auction weekend at the Toe River Arts Council's Spruce Pine Gallery. Hours are 10 am to 5 pm and on Saturday, August 13 until 6 pm. The public is also invited to the free Special Saturday night reception from 3 to 6 pm that honors the donating artists. Visitors may leave a sealed bid during their visit to the exhibit, especially if there are unable to attend on August 14. Or, visitors may purchase any item at its highest estimate price and take the item away immediately. The Auction takes place on Sunday, August 14. The Preview Party and Silent Auction begin at 12 noon and the live Auction from about 1:30 to 3:30. Admission to the TRAC Center on Sunday, August 14 is $20.

Proceeds from the Auction benefit the many school and community programs sponsored by the Toe River Arts Council. The TRAC Auction is supported by Carolyn Munroe Wilson, and also by Equinection. We are grateful for their continued support.

Artists: Download a donation form here.