MoNA Auction came home to La Conner

The big white tents next to the Museum of Northwest Art closed Second Street between Morris and Washington for five days last week so MoNA’s 26h annual auction could take place Saturday. That detour for cars was about the only obstacle slowing anyone down while over 200 people celebrated the museum’s “homecoming,” – the auction’s theme. The last two years the auction was at the Swinomish Casino and Lodge.

The mood was celebratory Friday evening at the preview party, an opportunity to look over the more than 200 pieces of art donated by local and regional artists. Friday night hotdogs and chips, along with beer and wine, were served. Saturday, the Nell Thorn catered treats were much fancier, but the beer and wine continued to be poured, to ease people’s judgment as they raised their bids.

Restaurant co-owner Casey Schanen managed the oyster bar. He was given a round of applause during the acknowledgments of all the volunteers who made the weekend possible. The museum docents were probably the biggest contingent, along with the host of familiar faces volunteering, as the usual suspects – often La Conner Rotarians and their spouses – once again stepped forward into volunteer roles serving food, pouring wine or carrying art.

Mayor Ramon Hayes, who had worked with MoNA’s board and staff to secure the auction’s return in February, welcomed the group before the bidding started. “The Town of La Conner is very, very thrilled. We combined in a short period of time to put this together. It is a special feeling we share in this Valley, in this community. It is why we have such a prominent museum in our town,” he told them.

Perhaps the evening’s biggest surprise was auctioneer’s Ian Lindsay telling the gathering that singing backup to Santana and Janis Joplin was just one of the many talents and experiences interim director Joanna Sikes brought to the job.

Referencing the donated art on the gallery walls, Sikes said, “We can all see why we are here. It’s for one reason: To get the museum back on its feet. Number two is to fund MoNA’s future. It’s about asking you to join in the celebration.”

And people did. One hundred bought $100 golden tickets placing them in a drawing to choose any live auction item. Winning ticket holder Michelle Fremont chose Robert McCauley’s “Post Modern Habitat,” an oil painting of a tall black bear narrowly framed, a 62” x 24” canvas.

At least two items each brought over $6,000: Georgia Gerber’s “Pelican,” a bronze, and Peregrine O’Gromley’s “Your Very Own Feet,” also a bronze sculpture.

Over $50,000 was raised through matching donations, led by two $10,000 donations matched that night. From there $12,500 was raised in $2,500 increments, $10,000 was raised in $1,000 pledges, and more matches were realized in $250, $100, and $50 groupings.

If there were fewer pieces of art – 37 items in the live auction, compared to over 50 in each of the last two years – perhaps that brought higher bids as people competed for purchases. The three silent auctions offered 168 pieces.

Folks had started gathering at 5 p.m. The silent auctions closed at 7:15 p.m. When the live auction ended after 9 p.m. many seemed as energetic as when they arrived.

At evening’s close, the Museum of Northwest Art was a bit closer to reaching “economic sustainability,” as Board Vice President Tom Bucknell told the group in his opening remarks summing up the board’s recent efforts.