Silent Auction

Art in Bloom's Gala Preview Party on Wednesday evening, April 25, will feature a dazzling Silent Auction from 6 to 7:30 p.m., including a number of in-town getaways and opportunities, fine goods for the home, and more.

We especially encourage you to contact your friends and plan ahead to take advantage of one (or more!) of the following group experiences.

Register for the Preview Party online, or call (612) 870-3279 to bid in the auction!

R.S.V.P. by Friday, April 20.

Silent Auction Highlights

Trip to England's Cotswolds and Tour of Downton Abbey (Highclere Castle)
Fabulous Friends and antiques aficionados Margene Fox and Lynn Schaefer will personally escort five women or two couples through points of interest in the Cotswolds in England. Tour historic homes and gardens, including Highclere Castle (inspiration for the hit PBS show, "Downton Abbey"), Blenham Palace and Hidcote Garden; discover delightful little shops; enjoy meals at charming restaurants and pubs; and more. A one-of-a-kind trip that includes lodging in a shared cottage, ground transportation, and the services of these two knowledgeable Cotswolds tour guides.
Participants are responsible for airfare to/from London/Heathrow Airport, meals, and admission fees. The trip is six days and five nights, between September 8-15, 2012.
Donated by Margene Fox and Lynn Schaefer
Value: $6,500

New York City Condo and Neue Galerie Tour
Stay four nights at a boutique-style, two-bedroom/two-bath vintage 1980s condo located in East Midtown's historic Turtle Bay. The full-floor unit offers stunning Manhattan views in all directions, and is within walking distance of Rockefeller Center, Saks Fifth Avenue, MoMA, the United Nations, theaters, and major shopping and dining venues. While in New York, you'll also enjoy a private tour of the Neue Galerie New York (http://www.neuegalerie.org/) with deputy director Scott Gutterman.
This package will be available to the winning bidder any four consecutive days between September 20 and October 30, 2012. (Must be reserved no later than August 31, 2012.)
Donated by Judith and John Benton
Value: $2,000

Garden and Art Tour in Dellwood
Join Colles & John Larkin for cocktails in their garden, which is listed in the Smithsonian Archives of American Gardens, and a tour of their collection of American art (paintings, drawings, and sculpture), followed by dinner for up to eight guests in their Frank Forster home, a Normandy farmhouse prototype. The higher the bid... the better the wine!
Donated by Dr. John and Colles Larkin
Value: $1,600

Hirschl & Adler Galleries Tour and Cocktails with Greg Hedberg
Your group of two to six will be fascinated by a tour of Hirschl & Adler Galleries (http://www.hirschlandadler.com/) with Greg Hedberg, former curator of paintings at the MIA and now director of the Department of European Art at Hirschl & Adler. This internationally-known gallery on NYC's Fifth Avenue specializes in American and European paintings, watercolors, drawings, and sculpture from the eighteenth through the early twentieth centuries; American prints of all periods; and American decorative arts from 1810 to 1910.
Afterward, adjourn to Greg and Margaret Hedberg's Manhattan townhome for conversation and cocktails in their in-town garden, and a viewing of the couple's collection of contemporary realist paintings.
Donated by Greg and Margaret Hedberg
Value: Priceless! (Airfare and lodging to be arranged by the winning bidder.)

Kelley & Kelley Cocktail Party and Garden Tour
Join Steve Kelley and Arla Carmichiel, owners of Kelley & Kelley Nursery and Landscaping (http://www.kelleyandkelleynursery.com/), at their Long Lake home for a cocktail party in their spectacular private garden. The perfect summer get-together for ten to twelve guests!
Donated by Steve Kelley and Arla Carmichiel
Value: TBD

Sip, Swirl, & Taste at the 110 North Loop Loft
The 110 North Loop Loft (http://www.the110northlooploft.com/) is located in the heart of the Minneapolis North Loop district. This unique urban event space is known for hosting artful and creative dinner parties and special events. Relax, and let resident wine expert Christian Foster wine and dine your group of up to 16 guests.
Donated by Vickie Foster and Christian Foster
Value: $800

Maren Kloppmann Vessel and Studio Visit
Award-winning ceramist Maren Kloppmann (http://www.marenkloppmann.com) is a three-time winner of the McKnight Artist Fellowship for Ceramic Artists. Her work has been featured in major exhibitions in the United States and Germany-and has also been among the hottest items at the Friends' other major fund-raiser, Art Perchance!
Gather a group of friends and visit with Maren in her Northeast Minneapolis studio. See the nuts and bolts of a ceramic artist's workspace and learn more about Maren's latest inspirations over wine and hors d'oeuvres. And, get excited for the visit by taking home an elegant glazed porcelain ceramic vessel the night of the auction.
Donated by Maren Kloppmann and Pam Friedland
Value: TBD

Behind the Scenes at the Como Conservatory
The growing season never ends at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory! (http://www.comozooconservatory.org/support/#/annual-fund) Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour for six with horticulture director Tina Dombrowski. Remember your visit with the coffee-table books "Jewel of Como" and "Captured Motion: the Sculptures of Harriet Whitney Frishmuth."
Donated by the Como Friends
Value: $500

Dinner at the Basilica of Saint Mary
Dr. Johan van Parys will lead your group of 8 on a private, behind-the-scenes tour of this historic Minneapolis landmark, followed by a three-course dinner with wine in the Rectory catered by Mark Wyss, a Basilica staff member.
Underwritten by Darlene Carroll, MIA Docent and Friends Member
Value: TBD

Art in Bloom 2012 Silent Auction Donors

Art in Bloom thanks the following donors for their contributions to the silent auction.

The 110 North Loop Loft
Abrahamson Nurseries
Al Vento Restaurant
Arthur Murray Dance Studio St. Paul
B.T. McElrath Chocolatier
Bachman's
Barnes and Noble
Bella Lana
Judith and John Benton
Breadsmith
Cafe Latte
Cafe Maude
Cannon River Winery
Circus Juventas
Como Friends
Corepower Yoga
Dakota Jazz Club
The Foursome Fine Apparel and Shoes
Margene Fox
Pam Friedland
Gabberts Design Studio & Fine Furnishings
General Mills
Wayne and Barbara Gensmer
The Gold Mine
Grand Casino
Grethen House
Grethen House 2
Hammer Made
Hennepin Theater Trust
The Hotel Minneapolis
James Sewell Ballet
Joe's Garage
Nancy Karason
Maren Kloppman
Pat Kraemer
Dr. John and Colles Larkin
Rita B. Larson
Landmark Theater
Le Meridien Chambers Hotel
Let's Dish!
The Loft Literary Center
Lucia's Restaurant and Wine Bar
Lutsen Mountains
MacPhail Center for Music
Minneapolis Club
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Kathy Murphy
Minnesota Opera
Minnesota Orchestra
MN Center for the Book Arts
Minnesota Vikings
Muska Lighting
Mary Newell
Northern Brewer
Omorphia
Ordway
Park Square Theater
Peoples Organic Coffee and Wine Cafe
Dan Petrov
Pizza Luce
Pracna on Main
The Red Stag Supper Club
Reed Sweatt Family Tennis Center
Rice Paper Restaurant
Sharon Richardson
Rocco Altobelli
Room & Board
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
Saint Paul City Ballet
Saint Paul Conservatory of Music
Saint Paul Grill
Saint Paul Saints
Lynn Schaefer
Scheherazade Jewelers
Sea Salt Eatery
The Shubert Club
Spoonriver
Steve Kelley & Arla Carmichiel (Kelley & Kelley Nursery)
Stuart Loughridge
Summit Brewery
Twin Cities Public Television
University Club of Saint Paul
Vic's
Walker Art Center
Warners' Stellian Appliance