Art Auction Turns 29!

If Spring is here it must be time for another Art Auction.  As the Land Conservancy of Adams County is wrapping up its year-long 30th Anniversary celebration, we're getting ready for our 29th annual Art Auction. And I, along with Sarah Maclay, have been involved with every one of them. In the early days we were happy to bring in two or three thousand dollars, but with the generous support of many local artists, and lots of art loving locals, we've raised nearly a half-million dollars! And all of that money has been used to help the Land Conservancy protect nearly 14,000 acres, forever! 

While the objective of this auction has always been to raise money to support the Conservancy's efforts to protect Adams County's farms, woodlands, and open spaces, we've always felt that it was equally important for us to represent local artists. It is they who have made this auction a success. We are grateful for the opportunity to show their work and to complement the Conservancy's efforts to preserve the county's natural beauty by helping to contribute to an arts-rich environment in Adams County. We're pleased with the relationship we have developed with the Adams County Arts Council and that we have been able to support their annual juried art show by offering a prize for the outstanding landscape painting. 

The auction show will be hung in the Arts Council galleries (125 S. Washington St., Gettysburg) and will officially open with a reception for the artists and the general public on First Friday, April 3, from 5 to 7 pm.

We will continue with our on-line auction through BiddingOwl which will open following the First Friday reception and, by popular demand, this year we are excited to include a LIVE auction. The LIVE auction, featuring everybody's favorite auctioneer, Randy Hilker, will be held at Borough BBQ (15 York Street, Gettysburg) on Sunday, April 19. Our hope is to recreate some of the "magic" of the many live auctions we've had in the past. Don't miss it! 

Our online auction will close on Wednesday, April 22, with winning bidders able to claim their purchases at the Arts Council on the following day.  If you have questions regarding the auction please contact the Land Conservancy office at (717) 334-2828. Thank you to all who have supported our effort over the last 28 years and let's make number 29 the best ever!

Bob Prosperi is chair of the Land Conservancy of Adams County’s annual art auction. The Land Conservancy of Adams County is a fully accredited, member-supported, non-profit land trust with the mission to preserve the rural lands and character of Adams County. For more information about the Land Conservancy visit PreserveAdams.org