FORT KENT, Maine — The Fort Kent Public Library raised roughly $1,600 during its inaugural Cabin Fever Art Auction fundraiser.
Library Director Andrew Birden said they are already planning to hold the event again at this time next year.
The money will help the library with operating expenses such as heating, electricity, salaries and purchasing books and supplies. The auction is one of several fundraisers planned for 2025. The library’s nonprofit group Les Amis de la Bibliothèque publique de Fort Kent — also known as Friends of the Fort Kent Public Library — came up with the art auction idea last year during a brainstorming session, Birden said.
Out of all the ideas discussed, the art auction appealed to everyone and seemed like it would be a unique experience, he said.
Birden said between 40 and 50 people attended the event.
“I think everyone had a good time,” he said. “I think the artists who came there felt good about how the public received their art.”
Friends of the Fort Kent Public Library was happy with the community support, Chair Dana Appleby said.
“We had a great turnout and all funds raised will support the needs of the public library,” Appleby said. “Roger Desjardins and Eden Soucy volunteered their time to play guitar and violin. We would like to thank all the artists and the community members for their bids.”
Roughly 20 artists donated about 38 paintings. Some artists donated four unique pieces.
“The artists all have a connection to the St. John Valley area, either having been raised here or in Aroostook County,” Birden said. “We had one piece that was from the daughter of someone who lives here in Aroostook County. We had another from [University of Maine at Fort Kent Executive Director of Academic Support Services] Leslie Kelly’s mother, and she doesn’t live here at all. And we had, of course, several by some young people that live here.”
This was a silent auction; all the pieces were on display with a piece of paper on which attendees could place their bid.
“Almost every piece received at least one bid,” he said. “And we had a few that went up closer to $100. You could see people fighting for particular pieces. People would keep an eye on them, and when someone made another bid, they would go back and pop up their bid.”
The event began at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 17, and was finished by 7:30 p.m.
Birden hopes to incorporate an online component in the next auction, as the library had several requests from people no longer living in the area about online participation. He said they were not able to set this feature up in time for the first event, but that doing so next year will allow for wider participation.
Overall, Birden said he was impressed with how well the inaugural auction went, and that it is a testament to the people of the St. John Valley.
“I am always impressed by the people in this valley, I truly am,” he said. “They’re just awesome. And watching the community shine is one of the benefits of being the library director. I’m just humbled.”
