Decorated Trays Highlight Art Auction to Benefit Orr’s Island Schoolhouse

May 20, 2016

A variety of wooden serving trays custom decorated by area artists will be among many unique items up for bid July 2 at the sixth annual An Evening of Art auction to benefit the historic Orr’s Island Schoolhouse.

In past years, the event featured lunchboxes, lobster buoys and birdhouses, which were turned into a variety of unique, artistic treasures and helped raise money to maintain and improve the historic building.

“This year we are eager to see how the artists will embellish a wooden serving tray,” said Tim McCreight, a local artist and one of the volunteer organizers of the event.

Dozens of other items, including paintings, prints, photographs, jewelry and more will also be auctioned off at the event, to be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 2, at the schoolhouse, located at 1594 Harpswell Island Road, Route 24, Orr’s Island. Preview will begin at 6 p.m. 

Light hors d'oeuvres, desserts, soda and wine will be served.

Artwork on sale will include many original pieces, as well as other items donated from private collections .

“This event has established itself as a great way to meet up with friends, share a beverage and celebrate the creativity of our area, all while supporting a valuable town landmark,” McCreight said.

He said organizers are still looking for donations of artwork to sell at the auction. Artists who work in any type of medium – including paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, jewelry, woodwork, textiles, ceramics, furniture, ironwork, glass and more – are invited to contribute their original creations. Local art collectors are asked to consider donating items from their collections to benefit the schoolhouse. Artists participating in the auction can set a minimum bid for their work and opt to keep a portion of the selling price.

An important part of Harpswell history, the old schoolhouse was originally a two-room school for island children. Located next to the Orr's and Bailey Islands Fire Department main station, the renovated building is used for a variety of community, public and private events. The schoolhouse is self-supporting, depending on income from event rentals, fundraisers and donations to maintain the building and grounds and updating the aging structure.


For more information, please contact Tim McCreight at 761-8217 or email artauction@orrsislandschoolhouse.com.

Donations Sought for Annual Auction and Yard Sale

May 20, 2016

The Orr's & Bailey Islands Fire Department is looking for donations for its annual auction and yard sale to be held August 13 and 14 at the fire station on Orr's Island.

Items may be dropped off at the fire station at 1600 Harpswell Islands Road, Route 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays during June and July. Donors can also call 833-5405 to arrange for free pickup of larger pieces or multiple items.

The fire department asks that no donations be left unattended at the station under any circumstances.

Over the years, the department has found that many items are difficult to sell or even give away and asks people not to donate microwave ovens, vacuums, dehumidifiers, electric stovetops, computer equipment, ski gear, golf clubs, couches or other stuffed furniture, mattresses and box springs, exercise equipment, aquariums, building materials, used bath fixtures, appliances, lighting fixtures, metal bed frames, baby equipment, particleboard furniture, and plastic storage containers and cups.

Books are also not accepted, but can be donated to the Orr's Island Library for its August sale.

Items accepted for donation will be up for sale at either the yard sale held throughout the weekend or at the live auction on Sunday, August 14.

The yard sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 13, and again Sunday morning on the grounds of the fire station and inside the adjacent old Orr's Island Schoolhouse on Harpswell Islands Road, Route 24.

The live auction of some of the finer and fun items will begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday, with preview starting at 9 a.m. A wide variety of antique and fine furniture, historical artifacts, artwork and many other items will be up for bid as usual, with lots of interesting surprises along the way.

A silent auction of a variety of goods, services and experiences donated by area businesses will be open on both days. Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be offered for sale.


All proceeds from the event help fund the nonprofit volunteer department, which provides fire and rescue services for Orr's and Bailey Islands and portions of Great Island east of the Mountain Road bridge and south of Stevens Corner Road on Route 24.


For more information, please visit www.obifd.org or call 833-5405.