RUMFORD – In an effort to raise money for the Teaberry Arts Council, several artists in the River Valley will decorate wooden apple crates, display them at local businesses, and auction them at the Rumford Pumpkinfest in October.
Scot Grassette, a Teaberry Arts Council member and owner of the 49 Franklin reception hall in Rumford, said that last year, 12 artists decorated trash cans, which were displayed in different businesses throughout Rumford.
“The idea was to decorate the trash cans, put them on display and have people place bids on them,” he said. “This way, people are going into the businesses to look at the trash cans and place bids on them, and then they can do their shopping at the store. It’s a way to support both the Teaberry Arts Council, and the businesses that support the Teaberry Arts Council.”
Grassette said a live auction will be held at the Rumford Pumpkinfest in October.
“It gets people excited. It generates a lot of interest in the Teaberry Arts Council,” he said. “Last year, people saw it kind of like a treasure hunt. They wanted to go to each of the businesses and see all of the trash cans that were up for auction.”
The council was still looking for businesses to sponsor the decorated apple crates.
The painting precedes the council’s annual Art Walk from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16. along the Hosmer Field Complex walking trail.
The trail is a paved and cuts through a wooded area along the Swift River.
“The cool thing about the Art Walk is that there is no cost for any of the performers to set up,” Grassette said. “It’s an opportunity for the artists to sell themselves. It’s really a phenomenal thing to see.”
Artists, performers and musicians will be set up along the trail, with vendors set up in the parking lot.
Council member Elizabeth Murphy said artists or performers interested in participating in the Art Walk should contact her at lizmurphyart@gmail.com
The council also has a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Teaberry-Arts-Council/395236337270735.
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