Celebrity Art Auction draws a big crowd

Upper Peninsula celebrities used their artistic talents to create a wide range of art to benefit the U.P. Children’s Museum.

The museum’s 10th annual Celebrity Art Auction took place tonight that featured 35 items up for bid.  The artists created unique items, including a bamboo fly–fishing rod, paintings, and bar stools.

All proceeds from the event go to the day–to–day operations the museum.

“The operations are of course, are the foundation of what we’re able to do here at the Children’s Museum,” museum director Nheena Weyer Ittner said.  “We could not do this without the army of people who help, so I thank every single person who’s come to this event, all the people that have given us food and chocolate.  It’s amazing.

Ittner said events like the auction are fun because it brings adults into the museum who may not have young children anymore, allowing them to see what the museum still has to offer.

“It’s always good to show how versatile this place is,” Ittner said.  “To have an adult event here and transform it to a very fun venue for a party is always good.  It’s always wonderful to have events here, I love it.”

“There’s a lot of people who come, who don’t have small children anymore, and then the come in and see the changes.  It’s all about supporting the Children’s Museum.”

This year the auction’s goal was to raise $20,000.