| The Pacific Northwest Salmon Center’s (PNWSC) second annual art auction fundraiser was held Oct. 28, beginning with a silent auction, hosted bar and plentiful hors d’oeuvres. As the silent auction closed, the crowd of close to 100 was greeted by PNWSC Board President Fred Barrett, who shared his dedication to the reason for the event. “Your efforts and financial support are providing an opportunity to restore a substantial piece of the Union River Estuary to its original wetlands condition, and will help to create a world-class educational facility and curriculum that we can be proud of — both from our stewardship of the land the Center will occupy and the quality of the education and research opportunities that endure.”
After a brief keynote speech by Representative Bill “Ike” Eickmeyer (D-Belfair), the bidding began. There were bids on salmon made from copper, bronze, steel, even old water heaters. There were watercolors, oils, pastels, glasswork, wine baskets, hand tied flies, wood carvings, even canned crab and tuna.
Over $25,000 was raised, thanks in particular to the participants and the 45 local artists who donated their original works of art for the event. A special “Thank you” was extended to the corporate donors: Encore Communities, Kitsap Bank and Olympia Federal Savings.
The funds raised at the event will support general operations and program development as the PNWSC moves closer to purchasing the property which will house its activities. The 90 acre Johnson Farm, on the Union River Estuary in Belfair — where Hood Canal begins — will eventually include classrooms, administrative offices, interactive exhibits, trails with interpretive displays, stormwater ponds for runoff from the Belfair corridor, and the opportunity to return 45 acres to salt marsh. The Salmon Center will be a hub of research and education on the health of Puget Sound and Hood Canal, as seen through the impacts on Wild Salmon, an icon of the Pacific Northwest. |
