2017 Hands Dancing Benefit Auction Catalogue

Welcome! We hope you enjoy this sneak peak of the wonderful items offered at our benefit auction. Heartfelt thanks to our generous contributors who donated them. Watch for new items and make a pre-auction telephone bid on your favourites.

Place early bids by calling the art centre at (902)-258-2533.
Then join us for the live auction on Friday, June 30th!

Tap the arrows to browse the catalogue.

Fall Colours

16 x 20 Acrylic on canvas
This piece was generously donated by Lisa Harrison.
Born in Toronto, Ontario and raised in Cape Breton, Lisa’s work is primarily the result of her need to paint; it is an outlet, a discipline, and a passion. Inspiration can pop up at any time and in any place. Lisa is not confined to one subject area, though she seems to be drawn towards antiques, buildings or subject matter with historic content. Oil is her favourite medium, but she also likes to extend to acrylic, watercolour, and charcoal. Lisa enjoys creating paintings in both colour and black & white.
This piece was to represent some of the bright and beautiful colours throughout Canada in the fall.

Starting Bid: $35 Estimated Value: $200

Place early bids by calling the art centre at (902)-258-2533.
Then join us for the live auction on Friday, June 30th!

Gift Basket

Generously donated to us by Freeman’s Pharmacy in Inverness.
This gift basket includes a gourmet dipping set, a salt and peppers grinders set, and a Laura Secord gourmet collection set.

Starting Bid: $25 Estimated Value: $65

Place early bids by calling the art centre at (902)-258-2533.
Then join us for the live auction on Friday, June 30th!

Hugh Campbell “At The Office”

12 x 16 Acrylic on canvas by Tom Ryan
Well-known local artist Tom Ryan has always been interested in urban landscapes and local scenes. He has found Inverness and its people to be a wonderful source of inspiration.

Starting Bid: $50 Estimated Value: $200

Place early bids by calling the art centre at (902)-258-2533.
Then join us for the live auction on Friday, June 30th!

The Gatherers

7″ x 9″ acrylic on canvas
Generously donated by Dorothy (Dot) Currie.
This work was inspired by Dot’s love for crows, cemeteries, and the sky.

Starting Bid: $20 Estimated Value: $200

Place early bids by calling the art centre at (902)-258-2533.
Then join us for the live auction on Friday, June 30th!

Wilson

This lovely, whimsical creation was generously donated to us by Erika Stonehouse.
“Wilson” is a part of the Meadow Nursery family. Meadow Nursery is an ongoing project ofhandmade stuffed animals. They are crocheted with care using a variety of wools and yarns. Each animal is an individual; they are all unique and no two are the same. Once they are completed, they are ready for adoption and when they arrive in their new homes, I ask the parent(s) to send me photographic documentation to stay updated on the lives of these animals.
Check out the project on Instagram.

Starting Bid: $25 Estimated Value: $75

Place early bids by calling the art centre at (902)-258-2533.
Then join us for the live auction on Friday, June 30th!

Pansy Chain

This piece was generously donated by Helen Stewart.
Among her many other talents as an artist, Helen crochets with cotton, creating beautiful doilies and table runners. Her Aunt, who she considers an accomplished crocheter, taught her how to read visual patterns. Through patterns, Helen was able to teach herself to add flowers and color to her projects. She has shared her skills with her friends and hopes to pass them onto her grand-children.

Starting Bid: $25 Estimated Value: $50

Place early bids by calling the art centre at (902)-258-2533.
Then join us for the live auction on Friday, June 30th!

Nanny’s Garden

12 x 16 acrylic on canvas by Gail MacKinnon

Starting Bid: $20 Estimated Value: $100

Place early bids by calling the art centre at (902)-258-2533.
Then join us for the live auction on Friday, June 30th!

Apple Blossom Spring

This 10″ x 10″ acrylic on canvas was generously donated by Melissa MacInnis

Starting Bid: $25 Estimated Value: $75

Place early bids by calling the art centre at (902)-258-2533.
Then join us for the live auction on Friday, June 30th!

Eagle Eye Outfitters 2-Hour Boat Tour For Up to 12 Passengers

Eagle Eye Outfitters offer private tours and have hosted tours for weddings, family reunions, business trips, whale watching, and fishing. Along with their exciting tours, Eagle Eye Outfitters also offer equipment rentals including bicycles, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards.
Be sure to check out their website and Facebook page.

Starting Bid: $115 Estimated Value: $828

Place early bids by calling the art centre at (902)-258-2533.
Then join us for the live auction on Friday, June 30th!

Captain’s Hat

Barbara Longva started designing clothing at the age of 5. She sells her one-of-a-kind fashions and hats from her outlet ‘Sew Inclined’ in Wreck Cove on the Cabot Trail. Specializing in period clothing and other accessories, whether you are looking for jackets, vests, dresses, purses or hats, ‘Sew Inclined’ will have something for you.

Starting Bid: $35 Estimated Value: $75

Place early bids by calling the art centre at (902)-258-2533.
Then join us for the live auction on Friday, June 30th!

Glass Leaf Design Vase

This piece, created by Nick Chase, comes to us from the Glass Artisans Gallery and Studio owned by Wendy Smith. Wendy is a stained glass artist whose work is featured in the gallery along with many others.
Glass artists are often invited to Flameworking Studio, Casting & Cold Working Studio and Glass Blowing Studio for one or two weeks during the summer and fall. While they create new work at Glass Artisans Studio & Gallery visitors can watch the artists work their magic with glass.

Starting Bid: $50 Estimated Value: $180

Place early bids by calling the art centre at (902)-258-2533.
Then join us for the live auction on Friday, June 30th!

Moose Country

11 x 14 Acrylic Ink on Watercolor Paper
Celeste Friesen-Nikkel’s artwork is inspired by the spectacular land and seascape that surrounds her in her home at the northern tip of Cape Breton. Each of Celeste’s paintings becomes an exploration using different approaches, techniques, and/or materials. Her paintings reflect her love of colour, texture, and improvisation with them to create an expression or impression of the subject and to allow the viewer to interpret that.

Starting Bid: $50 Estimated Value: $150

Place early bids by calling the art centre at (902)-258-2533.
Then join us for the live auction on Friday, June 30th!

Natural Handcrafted Fresh Soaps and Lotion

Groovy Goat Farm and Soap Company, located on the beautiful Cabot Trail, take pride in handcrafting natural and luxurious soaps and lotions. Their secret ingredient? Fresh goat milk from well-loved goats on their family farm. Goat milk contains naturally moisturizing, cleansing, and soothing properties.
To find out more about Groovy Goat Farm and their fabulous products, visit their website

Starting Bid: $10 Estimated Value: $30

Place early bids by calling the art centre at (902)-258-2533.
Then join us for the live auction on Friday, June 30th!

Three Hour Private Art Lesson With Elizabeth Whalley

Elizabeth Whalley is a Canadian artist based in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Morin Heights, Quebec and New York. She has taught at Adelphi University, UC Davis, Haverford College, Pratt Institute, Pont Aven School of Contemporary Art, and Brooklyn College.
She is currently the manager of the Inverness County Centre for the Arts in Inverness, NS.

Starting Bid: $50 Estimated Value: $300

Place early bids by calling the art centre at (902)-258-2533.
Then join us for the live auction on Friday, June 30th!

Regal

Framed pencil sketch.
Isabella is an artist new to the Inverness County Centre for the Arts. She is 15-years-old and resides in Riverview, New Brunswick. Isabella finds inspiration in everyday objects and brings her ideas to life through her sketches.

Starting Bid: $15 Estimated Value: $30

Place early bids by calling the art centre at (902)-258-2533.
Then join us for the live auction on Friday, June 30th!

Roses

16″ x 12″ acrylic on canvas by Joanne Hendsbee
Joanne Hendsbee has been painting for about 10 years. She was inspired by her father who is also an artist. Her medium of choice is acrylic.

Starting Bid: $40 Estimated Value: $60

Place early bids by calling the art centre at (902)-258-2533.
Then join us for the live auction on Friday, June 30th!