Deerfield Arts Bank will host one final event this month before closing its doors for good: a community-driven auction to support seven local charities.
The gallery, which opened in 2014 featuring exhibits by local artists, officially closed last year, but has held a few art events and hosted some weekly workshops since.
Following the auction, scheduled at the Sugarloaf Street gallery Saturday, Feb. 25, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., the building will be sold.
“It was a wonderful adventure,” Jane Trigere, owner of the gallery, said about the business. “We decided that the last public event at the (Deerfield Arts Bank) could be a benefit for the most vulnerable among us in the community. Each person will choose to whom their successful bid will go. The mission of the Deerfield Arts Bank was to be a venue for local artists and to bring art to the community. This auction fills that mission in a different way.”
Trigere led the way through shelves laden with antiques, past hanging artwork and other odds and ends such as beautiful painting of the Titanic sinking, church pews and a mannequin lamp — a few selections of between 150 and 200 art and antique items up for auction.
“There’s something for everyone,” Trigere said, picking up an old fashioned leather toolbelt from beside a typwriter, adding, “this is almost brand new.”
The charities supported by the auction are the Franklin Area Survival Center, The Literacy Project, Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture, The Food Bank, Stone Soup Café, Cancer Connection, and the Museum of Our Industrial Heritage.
“We, Ken (Schoen, Trigere’s husband) and I, have collected so many interesting things over the years,” Trigere continued, noting that, while being a way to give back to the community, the auction is a way for them to declutter, empty and clean out the building before it’s sold.
Trigere said the auction is intended to “create a community space” where people can “help take care of their neighbors.”
Following the auction and building’s sale, Trigere noted she’ll continue to work on the Historical Commission and help restore local cemeteries as well as the town common. Schoen will continue documenting the town’s history.
According to a news statement about the charitable event, the auction will be run by Auctioneer Paul Mueller-Reed of New England Auctions in Deerfield, who will be “donating his services.” Trigere said there will also be about four or five volunteers helping distribute items to winners.
Leading up to the auction, interested bidders can preview and place advance-bids on items online at www.deerfieldartsbank.com.
Another way for people to leave advance bids is by emailing office@nebookauctions.com, including bid amount, lot number, name, address, and phone number in the message.
In addition to online viewing, Trigere said items can be previewed in-person at the gallery Feb. 22 through Feb. 23 from 4 to 8 p.m., Feb. 24 from 10 to 4 p.m., and Feb. 25 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. They can also be viewed through appointment by contacting Trigere at 413-665-0066 or janetrigere@gmail.com.
You can reach Andy Castillo at: acastillo@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 263. On Twitter: @AndyCCastillo.