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New Decade New Dimension
Take A Seat Auction Celebrates 11 Years
By SUE JONES
The Take A Seat Auction to benefit the Reg Lenna Civic Center began 11 years ago as an auction of uniquely decorated chairs — thus ‘‘Take A Seat.’’ As the Reg Lenna Board presents the first auction of the second decade on Wednesday at the Bemus Point Casino there will be a new dimension for auction-goers to bid on.
The 2006 Take A Seat Chairman, Kristina Benson, charged original Take A Seat developers Holly Sullivan and Jane Kidder with adding a new twist to one of the most entertaining, successful fund-raisers of the summer. The ladies thought of a way to expand the Take A Seat beyond its usual live and silent auctions and this year, auction-goers will be able to ‘‘Engage An Artist’’ by bidding on arts services.
Everyone has seen a piece of art someplace and thought, ‘‘I wish I had that in my home or office.’’ Well, now you can. Ten artists have donated their talents — either a service or commission piece, to be completed for the successful bidder at a later date. For example, Charlene Kidder has donated a wedding package including a wedding certificate lettered on parchment; Chuck Lombardo, a professional finisher has donated $300 towards the refinishing of a piece of furniture or total kitchen cabinet refinishing; and Jane Nelson, a free-lance commission artist has donated a 6-by-4¼-inch framed pen and ink and watercolor drawing of the purchaser’s home or building of interest.
The Take A Seat Auction ‘‘Engage An Artist’’ may be the way to bring a new artistic dimension to your home or business.
The auction is scheduled to begin at 8:07 p.m. under the call of Auctioneers Chuck and Kathy Ludwig who have volunteered their time for every auction. Viewing of live and silent auction items begins at 6 p.m.
The annual fund-raiser combines more than 60 hand decorated chairs, tables, mirrors and other unique items such as a wine rack, a sewing stand, a Lincoln table, a wooden music stand, a child’s cradle or a mailbox, all lovingly restored and donated by local or visiting amateur and professional artisans. The excitement of live and silent bidding to raise funds to support the operations of the Jamestown theatre combined with the beauty of the lakeside setting make for a great summer evening in Chautauqua County.
Another high point of the evening is a drawing for a beautiful antique trunk, restored and donated by Skid Proctor. Proctor has done this for each of the previous eight auctions as well and many eyes eagerly await the unveiling of his donation. This year’s trunk has legs so it can double as a coffee table.
The evening is a win-win event, a unique opportunity for many local artists to showcase their talents and they are often solicited for commissions for future work. The community comes out in full force to support the event and ultimately benefit the Reg Lenna Civic Center who depends on the proceeds for operating expenses. Over the past 10 years, more than 250 artists from across the region have contributed their talents to raise more than $200,000 to benefit the 1,269 seat, beautifully restored, historic, Reg Lenna Civic Center.
Tickets are available at The White Picket Fence, Skillman’s, The Chatterbox, D & S Glass, The Reg Lenna Civic Center Box Office, from Reg Lenna Board members, Take A Seat committee members and of course, at the door.
Committee members include: Kristina Benson, chairwoman, who is assisted by Kelly Dawson, Becky Colburn, Joan Erickson, Mary Jane Proctor, Carol Evans, Shirley Sember, Lynne Reading, Chris Wight, Melanie Stein, Barb Knobloch, Jane Kidder, Holly Sullivan, Paula Frank, Lucille Schuler, Katie Smith, Denise Heppeler, Pat Carr, Sean Jones, Ed and Debbie Tomassini, Karen Tordella and Sue Jones.
The members of the Harold and Debbie Andersen family of Bemus Point have donated to the Take a Seat Auction for many years. Debbie Andersen, left, is an original watercolor artist whose 26’’ by 25’’piece this year is titled ‘‘A Picnic On the Lake.’’ Daughter Kelley Auer, center, a busy Bemus Point mother of two, has collaborated with her brother Tom, (not pictured) who works for the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution on Fifth Avenue, New York City. The duo has completely restored the pictured 1940’s Keystone bike they located on eBay (in many pieces). They have named their bike ‘‘Got Wheels?’’
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