12 November, 2013
The Hopkinton Center for the Arts is about to launch its annual Red Carpet Silent Auction, which is the nonprofit’s biggest fundraiser. This year’s auction is the HCA’s most ambitious yet: the goal is unprecedented at $20,000. The auction runs through November 18.
This year’s auction features items worth thousands of dollars featuring “local talent and flavor,” meaning it’s all donated by local businesses, vendors and artists. Items include artwork, gift certificates, electronics, specialty product packages, spa services, event tickets, and visual and performing arts lessons, amongst other things. In addition to the items up for bidding, cash donations can be made in the spirit of this vital fundraiser, whose proceeds provide direct support to programming at the burgeoning HCA. The supported programs include Shakespeare Under the Stars, the Sunset Jazz series, the PhotoVoice Project in conjunction with Compass at Golden Pond Assisted Living, juried gallery exhibits, and classes for the Respite Center students, in addition to numerous other gallery shows, panel discussions, classes and workshops, and performances.
While the HCA has recently raised pivotal funding for its capital campaign to expand its facilities at 98 Hayden Rowe St., HCA Executive Director Kelly Grill has major hopes for this benefit auction. “We are in a period of tremendous growth all around, and so our building project is not the only thing we’re trying to expand,” said Grill. “We work to provide more and more accessible arts experiences in every way possible, and the support of the community through things like this auction is a major part of that.” In addition to bidding on items and making donations, Grill believes that one of the best ways people can support this fundraiser is to help raise awareness for it: shareable information about the auction is posted on all of the HCA’s online channels.
Interested donors and auction bidders can take part of the action by visiting the HCA website (www.hopartscenter.org) starting 8:00 am on Sunday, November 10. There, they can be directed to the Bidding For Good website which hosts the HCA auction. Once the auction begins, the public can browse the available auction items and keep tabs on the auction action.
The Hopkinton Center for the Arts (HCA) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) entity whose mission is to provide an environment that will encourage individuals and organizations to create and present quality visual and performing arts, arts education and events. This broad-based aim to offer “something for everyone” is what makes the HCA a unique place where creativity flows and cultural opportunities abound. For more information about the HCA, please visit us online at www.hopartscenter.org.
