Schoolhouse Art Auction Draws Big Crowd

July 15, 2015

A record crowd turned out this year for the fourth annual art auction to benefit the historic Orr’s Island Schoolhouse.

Dozens of works of art, ranging from paintings and photographs to carvings and jewelry, were sold at the July 11 event, which attracted a near-capacity crowd at the schoolhouse on Harpswell Islands Road, Route 24.

“It was a big success We ran out of parking spaces and also ran out of bidder’s flags -- both good problems to have,” said Tim McCreight, who served as auctioneer for the first time. “The mood was buoyant and clearly there was a lot of support for the schoolhouse.”

Among the pieces sold this year were more than a dozen small birdhouses creatively reimagined by a variety of artists from the Harpswell area and beyond.

Unlike last year’s auction, which featured iconic lobster buoys transformed into a variety of artistic pieces that attracted large bids, the birdhouses sold for modest amounts.

“People were very happy that we had more affordable items this year,” said Mary Morgan, who chairs the committee which runs the schoolhouse, owned and managed by the adjacent Orr’s and Bailey Islands Fire Department.

“More people were able to get in on the bidding and take home some nice works of art,” Morgan said. “That made things a lot of fun.”

Birdhouse by Brad McFadden

Once again, one of the top-selling artists was Brad McFadden of Orr’s Island, whose birdhouse brought in the top bid of $450. Other birdhouse artists included McCreight, Doug Bane, Cindy Bessmer, Steve Black, Tom Brudzinski, Dan Dostie, Patricia Fuchs, Gloria Doughty, Robert Gibson, Karen Loftus, Steve Normand, John Wright and Sam Wright.

Among other art sold at the event was an acrylic painting by Doug Bane, which raised $300; a Caran d’ache by Margaret Leonard for $200; a carved pileated woodpecker for $250; a watercolor by Gloria Doughty for $170; an oil painting by Lauren Andreach for $150; a print by Tom Brudzinski for $140; and a set of porcelain bowls by Patricia Fuchs for $120.Numerous other items sold in the $100 range, while many others sold for less, some for as little as $25.

The auction items raised a total of more than $3,600, while the birdhouses brought in $2,575.

For the first time, the event featured a silent auction of several small paintings and prints, which raised $370. Another $60 came from the sale of jewelry made from wood and nails salvaged from the recently replaced old schoolhouse floor. 

After accounting for other donations and less commissions paid to some of the artists and other expenses, the auction raised about $5,600, slightly more than last year.

The money is used for maintenance and improvements to the building, such as the new floor and air conditioning.

An important part of Harpswell history, the building was originally a two-room school for island children. Now used for a variety of community, public and private events, the schoolhouse is self-supporting, depending on income from event rentals, fund raisers and donations to maintain the building and grounds. It is managed by the adjacent Orr’s and Bailey Islands Fire Department.

For more information about the schoolhouse, or to inquire about rentals, visit www.orrsislandschoolhouse.com.