Staff writer
Marion Youth Advancement Committee raised more than $1,000 Saturday with Art at the Elgin for a planned youth center.
The fundraiser included a silent auction of elementary students’ donated artwork in the afternoon and a live auction of other donated pieces in the evening.
Marion Elementary School art students donated 27 drawings and photographs for the event. Area artists donated another 62 works of art for the live auction, said Marion Economic Development Director and organizer Doug Kjellin.
The fundraiser was in the ballroom of the newly renovated historic Elgin Hotel. Owner Jim Cloutier donated the use of the ballroom. Auctioneer Lyle Leppke conducted the live auction.
The organization, mYac, will receive matching funds from Thrivent Financial for the fundraiser, bringing the money raised Saturday to about $2,500.
The group’s eventual fundraising goal is $30,000, but $20,000 would likely be enough to purchase a facility for a future youth center, Kjellin said.
The final items sold in the live auction were chairs painted by Marion High School art students. Each chair was painted to emulate the work of famous artists, such as Andy Warhol or Vincent Van Gogh.
“The local artists went above and beyond,” Kjellin said.
An annual art auction is being considered, but with some changes, Kjellin said. Foremost would be not having it Memorial Day weekend.
“We learned some very valuable lessons about timing,” Kjellin said.
See page 14 for more information about the Elgin Hotel.