PORT ANGELES — For the first time, sculptor and arts promoter Bob Stokes is hosting a pair of auctions to raise money for one of his favorite causes: the Northwest Kiwanis Camp for disabled children and adults in Chimacum.
For these events, which start Friday night upstairs at Studio Bob, 118 ½ E. Front St., Stokes is inviting local residents and businesses to contribute auction items.
The Port Angeles Arts Council is a co-sponsor of the benefit auctions, and “a lot of local artists are donating” not only their works of art, but also short courses in their art forms, Stokes added.
In addition, business owners are giving gift certificates, and a local woman is donating a valuable Hasselblad camera.
The gifts “are all over the map,” Stokes said, adding that he asks that contributions have a minimum value of $20.
To contribute, phone him at 415-990-0457 or e-mail sculptorbobstokes@yahoo.com.
Stokes said he’ll accept donations through tonight.
The auctions come in two types, silent and live, and they coincide with the third annual exhibition of art by Kiwanis Camp participants.
The campers, who Stokes said range from kindergartners to seniors, will display some 70 works this year.
Both the silent auction and the art show open at 6 p.m. Friday and continue until 9 p.m.; both are then open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at Studio Bob.
The live auction — with Betsy Schultz, Stokes’ sister and a vigorous booster of local art, and entertainer Charlie Ferris presiding as auctioneers — will get going at 7 p.m. Friday.
“We’re very different,” Schultz said of herself and Ferris. “We’ll play off each other. It’ll be a fun evening.”
Schultz emphasized that donating or bidding on auction items is supporting what she considers one of the worthiest local causes.
The Kiwanis Camp is as much a respite for disabled campers’ families as it is a week of fun for the participants themselves, she said.
“It’s a time when the people who are doing 24/7 care for their sons and daughters can have a breather and know their loved one is having a quality experience.”
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3550 or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.