River-Themed Live Auction Items at An Evening Celebrating the River 2018
The River Inspires: An Evening Celebrating the Mississippi River will feature an entertaining river-themed live auction. Enjoy a sneak peek of auction items available to bid on the evening of September 20, 2018.
1) Mississippi River Excursion Aboard the Art Ark with Seitu Jones
Upon being awarded the McKnight Foundation’s Forecast Public Art Grant, Seitu Jones set out to create the Art Ark – a floating sculptural installation and water quality research vessel. Alongside students from Urban Boatbuilders (which Jones also co-founded) and the Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center, Jones and the team set out to design and construct “a floating platform for artistic and scientific experiences with the overall goal of using art and ecology to foster a greater understanding of the Mississippi River watershed and the public’s role as environmental stewards.”
The highest bidder will enjoy a two-hour river exploration for four people aboard the Art Ark with artist and builder Seitu Jones. Onboard lunch will be provided. To be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon date during the summer of 2019.
Generously donated by: Seitu Jones
2) Grand Northwoods Experience
Spend a week relaxing in the northwoods with family and friends at this beautiful lakefront log cabin. Situated on 4.5 acres with 350 feet of shoreline, this secluded retreat is on Long Lake #2 in Backus, MN, between Brainerd and Walker – just three hours north of the Twin Cities. This 8-bedroom, 4-bath cabin sleeps 20+ and boasts a large fully-equipped kitchen, lakeside great room, living room, in-house sauna, several decks, lakeside fire pit, play set, play house, beautiful dock with easy access to the lake, the use of a canoe and even a koi pond! The winner will coordinate dates with donor – available year round with the exception of July.
Generously donated by: Julia and Wade Burgess
3) Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront and Saint Anthony Falls Lock Tour
The Mississippi River is the reason that Minneapolis exists. Saint Anthony Falls was a significant site to local Native American communities, and powered the mills that put Minneapolis on the map. The downtown riverfront is teeming with fascinating stories and historic remnants. Together with nine of your closest friends, join our team of local experts from the Minnesota Historical Society, as well as a noted river historian, for a three hour walking tour of the downtown riverfront. You’ll learn the inextricable history of our great city and river, and gain access to significant sites not open to the public – like the Saint Anthony Falls lock and the underground waterpower system of the storied Pillsbury A Mill. Finish your day with a delicious meal using a $250 gift card from iconic Minneapolis eatery, Spoonriver.
Generously donated by: Mill City Museum - Minnesota Historical Society, a notable river historian, and Spoonriver
4) River-friendly Home and Garden Package
Do good for the river with this package of river-friendly home and garden items. Take home a beautiful, aged wine barrel that has been converted to a rain barrel to keep your garden green and water consumption low. And, welcome birds and bees to your yard with a custom-designed and installed native pollinator garden from Minnesota Native Landscapes. This item includes all aspects of a native planting bed installation: site preparation, mulch, a custom-designed layout and variety of native plants (up to 150 sq. ft.). To round out this package, we’re also offering a pair of L.L. Bean’s classic duck boots, to ensure you’re properly outfitted to steward your garden!
Generously donated by: Minnesota Native Landscapes, Mother Earth Gardens, and L.L. Bean
5) Guided Fly Fishing Excursion & Sustainable Fish Package
If you love fishing AND eating fish, this package is for you! The lucky winning bidder and a guest will enjoy a day of guided fly fishing on the Root River in southeast Minnesota (near Lanesboro), and a catered lunch, with educator and fly fishing enthusiast Monta Hayner. Monta has been fly fishing for nearly 20 years after discovering the beautiful trout streams of Minnesota’s driftless area. She is a former chair of the Fly Fishing Women of Minnesota, and has taught several beginning fly fishing classes. All ages and skill levels are welcome, and your gear will be provided.
In addition, you’ll receive a Fall Seafood Sampler share from Sitka Salmon Shares, a community supported fishery (CSF) that allows its members to purchase a share of the harvest of one of its independent small-boat family fishermen. Your share will run from October – December, 2018 and will include approximately 15 pounds of a variety of sustainably sourced fish – enough for weekly meals for two to three people. And finally, to ensure all of your outdoor adventures are properly geared, you’ll also receive a variety of Patagonia products.
Generously donated by: Monta Hayner, Sitka Salmon Shares, and Patagonia