SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - In a festive atmosphere with the clink of wine glasses and the dazzle of carnival string lights, a collection of artists Friday helped The Arts Barn raise funds for art education.
More than 75 people came out to Schuylkill County's first Collaborative Art Show and Auction, held at the Walk In Art Center. There were 57 bidders registered to bid on items including pen-and-ink drawings, wood carvings and a chess set made of stained glass and beads.
"I think we have almost 100 people here. I'm pleased with the turnout," Deborah Cooper, director of The Arts Barn, said before the auction.
There were 16 items up for auction, and Michael Riha, Bath, Northampton County, won the first.
It was a decorative keepsake box, "Van Gogh Box No. 1," made by collaborating artists Deborah Powell Kramer, a stained-glass artist from Kempton, Berks County, and Barry Middleton, a woodworker from Pottsville.
The box was made of white oak and Van Gogh glass.
"This is glass application. It's sort of like a mosaic piece. The copper foil was applied the way mosaic work would be done," Kramer said.
"The value price on this is $125 and the reserve bid is $50," said Terry Leib, a Lavelle native who resides in Mertztown, Berks County, who served as the auctioneer.
Riha won the item with a bid of $60.
"I know some of the artists. We support the arts. This is a great cause, and we wanted to show our support for the artists and the arts barn," Riha said.
Those in attendance included Teddi Cunningham, Minersville, Sandi Schreffler, Orwigsburg, Cheryl Hoysock, Orwigsburg, Joanie Guers, Orwigsburg, Robert G. "Bob" Stickloon, Pottsville, and Dick Wolff, Tremont.
"I'm here checking it out to see how it works," Wolff said.
The Arts Barn started in the fall of 2010 as a way for nine artistic friends to get together and showcase their work in one place, the former Toy Barn at 3 Berry Road, North Manheim Township. While the site has a Schuylkill Haven address, it's closer to Orwigsburg.
"The Arts Barn is two separate entities. One is a gallery, which is for-profit because the artists there make money by selling their work. The other part is a nonprofit organization dedicated to education, festivals, camps for children and workshops. And we're hoping to be able to give scholarships," Cooper said.
Cooper said The Arts Barn has received its 501(c)3 nonprofit status.
Camp times for ages 6 to 8 are from 9 to noon July 14 through 18 and from 1 to 4 p.m. July 21 through 25. Camp times for ages 9 to 12 are from 1 to 4 p.m. July 14 through 18 and from 9 a.m. to noon July 21 through 25. Each weeklong session costs $99. Those interested in signing a child up for the camp can call 570-366-8736.
Cooper has been the director since The Arts Barn opened five years ago.
There was entertainment by members of The Gabriel Chamber Ensemble, Orwigsburg. Its artistic director, Simon Maurer, New Ringgold, played violin and his wife and the ensemble's executive director, Agnes Maurer, played viola. They performed classical selections including the music of Mozart.
Tickets were $20 in advance and $23 at the door.