Marblehead Festival of Arts 42nd Art Auction Saturday

MARBLEHEAD – The Marblehead Festival of Arts has many items ready for its 42nd Art Auction on April 6, ranging from art pieces in many mediums by talented area artists, to varied gift certificates for goods and services around the area and Boston.All will be presented at Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St., beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, with the silent auction and the live auction at 7:15 with auctioneer Gene Arnould.Lynne DeVoe, Festival president, said, “The Art Auction is a major fundraiser for the Marblehead Festival of the Arts, to be held this year on July 4-7, with a special preview on July 3.”We look forward to a large and enthusiastic crowd at this year’s Auction. We are adding new dimensions to past favorites to assure everyone has a great time and comes away with winning items they can be really excited about.”Auction attendees will enjoy hors-d’oeuvres catered by Dario Puerto of Dario’s Catering. Music and pleasant conversation will fill the room, creating a most wonderful ambiance. Outstanding door prizes will create excitement for auction guests.”Art is the Thing” at this year’s Auction, and many local artists are donating the best of their works to the event. Forrest Rodts has a passion for maritime art as does oil painter Racket Shreve. Watercolorist Benneville Strohecker enjoys painting flowers, gardens and beaches. Elaine Caliri Daly, a sculptor as well as a painter, works on seascapes and florals in acrylics, oils and watercolor.Among other painters who are graciously donating their work are longtime supporters Richard Pohl, Thomas McKiernan, Nancy Ferguson and Joan Colt Hooper. Photographers include Robb Kipp, Ulrike Welsch, Herb Goldberg, Dave W. Kinney, Dave T. Kinney and Gail Giarrusso.Jewelry designers Kiki Taron Kinney and Pam Duncan, and Nantucket basket maker Patti Baker as well as artisans Susan Kauder, Robert Gerson and Terri McMillan, are also participating.Among other intriguing items are a catered-at-home dinner for four generously presented by Dario’s, coupled with a substantial gift card from Shubie’s Marketplace.There will also be a four-hour luncheon cruise aboard a magnificent 40-foot sailboat. Sailing out of Marblehead, the lucky winner will select a day in June, July or August.A cruise for four aboard a replica schooner out of Gloucester will provide a great day’s entertainment. The Schooner Ardelle is ideal for seeing the historic shores of Gloucester’s outer harbor, the mansions along Eastern Point and more. Aboard her, the high bidder can help the crew warp her in and out the old way (under sail), haul a historic lobster trap or just relax and enjoy the trip.Other fun items are popular dining and shopping offerings along the Avenue and in Old Town, guaranteed to bring high bids.Beginning Saturday, auction tickets will be on sale for $25 at these Marblehead locations: Arnould Gallery and Framery (111 Washington St.), Shubie’s Marketplace (16 Atlantic Ave.) and Spirit of ?76 Bookstore (107 Pleasant St.). For the first time, tickets will be available for purchase on the Festival Web site, marbleheadfestival.org. Tickets sold at the door on Saturday will be $30.To view Auction items, keep an eye on the Marblehead Festival of Arts Facebook page and the website. In addition, for more information, visit www.MarbleheadFestival.org.