THE FINE ART OF LIVING AUCTION
The Colchester Land Trust’s annual online auction of fine art and fine wine has raised tens of thousands of dollars to help preserve open space in Colchester, Connecticut. Although the online auction takes place during the month of April, donations are sought, and encouraged, throughout the year. Auction items range from original artwork to photography, prints, sculptures, quilts, bowls, crafts and collectibles and wines of all kinds. The Colchester Land Trust encourages everyone to take a look in your attic, closet, basement or wine rack to see what you can donate to benefit Colchester. We also encourage artists to paint or create artwork relative to the Colchester area and consider donating these to the auction. Here are some ways you can help:

DONATE YOUR UNUSED ARTWORK There are so many great pieces of artwork in attics or closets just not being enjoyed. By donating them to the Colchester Land Trust you are giving new life to the artwork, giving pleasure to the new owner, and benefitting the entire community through land preservation. If downsizing is in your future, consider donating to the auction as a great way to scale down the items you have acquired through the years. DONATE WINE If you are a wine enthusiast, I’m sure you enjoy trying and buying new wines, and often you have multiple bottles in your collection. You can donate bottles of wine to the auction, and then have some fun watching your wine at auction, and possibly finding some real gems to add to your collection as well!

ARTIST’S DONATIONS If you are an artist, you have the opportunity to submit your artwork to the auction and receive an artist’s premium (value of your choice) for your artwork if it sells. You may submit up to three items each year, but we ask that if you submit more than one, that one will be an outright donation. Although style and subject matter are not restricted, we encourage artists to create artwork from the region, depicting things like farmland, vineyards, lakes, streams and wooded areas that are prevalent in Colchester.

HOW THE AUCTION WORKS
The auction will show all of the artwork and wines at www.colchesterlandtrust.org for the entire month of April, where you will be able to bid on the items, right online. The artwork will also be publicly displayed at the Cragin Memorial Library during the month of April where there will be an Artists’ Reception to kick off the auction. The public is invited to meet and mingle with many of the artists and see the artwork firsthand.

FOR INFORMATION OR TO MAKE DONATIONS
For more information about making a donation or the event, contact Event Organizer, Barry Ford, barry@fordfolios.com (860) 267-6751.