2009 Annual Benefit Auction

Join us next August for the 2009 Auction! The date will be Sunday August 9. Put it on your calendar now and check back from more details and a new catalogue of auction art.

More info coming soon!

2008 Annual Benefit Auction

TRAC's 2008 "TRAC to the Twenties" Benefit Auction bought out donated art from local artists and craftspersons, generous supporters of the Arts Council, tables full of delectables, raised hands, smiles and even a bit of musical chairs -- all with a Roaring 20's theme.

Over 150 items in glass, clay, fiber, metal, paintings, photography, basketry and more were available from the area’s top and emerging artists and craftsmen who reside in the region. The artists and their works are known, some world-reknown, for their creative, top quality and expert craftsmanship. The proceeds from the Auction benefit TRAC who serves the community in a variety of programs: school residencies and performances, twice yearly studio tours, exhibitions year-round in its two galleries, monthly music series, its own community orchestra and a whole lot more. The theme for the auction this year ties the current art scene to a pivotal and historical period of time for the arts.

The 1920s were significant for western North Carolina, a period marked by the founding of various important crafts revival and preservation movements.  Traditional arts and crafts skills from making quilt patterns to chairs, from creating pottery to ironwork were eagerly collected and documented, to be cherished and taught to coming generations in crafts centers amid rustic mountain surroundings. 

To name just a few of the more important handicrafts schools blossoming in the Roaring Twenties: Penland School (1923), John C. Campbell Folk School (1925), and Crossnore Weavers (1921).

The 1920s are also remembered as being a whole lot of fun, a giddy nationwide spree!  The era even originated its own distinctive design style in the Art Deco movement. 

For more information on the art auction please contact the Toe River Arts Council at trac@toeriverarts.org.  Call us at (828) 682-7215 (Burnsville TRAC Gallery) or (828) 765-0520 (Spruce Pine TRAC Center Gallery) or visit us on the web at www.toeriverarts.org