A joyous celebration of craft, community, and all things Penland, the Penland Benefit Auction is Penland School of Craft’s major annual fundraiser, supporting our mission of Making Lives Meaningful Through Making.
For absentee bidding, please call Cindy at 828.765.2359 x1308 or email bidding@penland.org.
Friday August 25
- 11:00 AM–5:00 PM, Penland Gallery is open
- 12:00 PM, Director’s Luncheon
The Director’s luncheon will take place under the tent and feature delicious fare prepared by the Penland Kitchen. We will be presenting the first Lucy Morgan Award to artist, volunteer, student, patron, instructor, and friend Julia Woodman.
The Director’s Luncheon is by invitation only to Lucy Morgan Leaders and special guests. Lucy Morgan Leaders contribute $1,500 or more to Penland’s annual fund each year.
- 1:30 PM–3:00 PM, Reception at the Penland Gallery
View the exhibition wild and precious life in the John & Robyn Horn Gallery and WEAR: Contemporary Jewelry in the FOCUS Gallery. Exhibition talk with the gallery director and artists begins at 2:00 pm in the Horn Gallery.
- 3:00 PM, Core Fellows Pop-Up Show
Meet our Core Fellows and see their work in the coffee shop.
- 3:00 PM–5:00 PM, Artist Demonstrations
Join us for demonstrations in the clay, glass, and iron studios.
- 3:30 PM Honoring of Elizabeth Brim, 2023 Outstanding Artist Educator
- 4:00 PM–6:00 PM, Celebrate the Artists Exhibition, Silent Auction, and Cocktail Reception
Enjoy drinks and heavy hors d’oeuvres, view all auction art, and bid in the Friday Silent Auction. Mix and mingle with the artists.
- 6:00 PM–8:30 PM, Music, coffee and desserts
Saturday, August 26
- 9:00 AM, Coffee at the Barns
Resident artists welcome guests to their studios for coffee served in handmade souvenir mugs by Cat Coulter Lloyd and Kelly Coulter Knapp.
- 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Penland Gallery is open
- 10:15 PM–11:45 AM, Silent Auction
- 12:15 PM, Buffet Lunch under the Tent
- 1:00–3:30 PM, Live Auction
200 inspiring works have been contributed to this year’s auction. LEARN MORE.
Tanya Crane and Dan Estabrook embody the spirit of craft education at Penland. They represent a range of media, balance tradition and imagination in their practices, and have contributed deeply to the school.
Both artists have generously donated exciting works that will be featured in the auction. Read more about Tanya and Dan HERE.
If anyone can be said to be one of “Penland’s own,” it is blacksmith and sculptor Elizabeth Brim. Elizabeth was Penland’s iron studio coordinator from 1995–2000 and then settled permanently into a house and studio just a mile from the school. Over three decades, she has been a teacher, role model and inspiration for countless aspiring blacksmiths. Read more about Elizabeth HERE.
Julia Woodman will be the first recipient of the Lucy Morgan Award. An accomplished metalsmith, teacher, and a great friend of Penland, Julia has been an enthusiastic and inspiring presence for many decades, wielding hammers and torches in the iron studio well into her 80s. Read more about Julia HERE.
Questions? Please email Mindy at auctionintern@penland.org.
