Those looking to excel in life traditionally have worked diligently to raise the bar. That’s all well and good, but when your art center is on the ropes in a time of pandemic, you have to get creative and elect instead to “Raise the Box.” That’s exactly the plan for the crew at the Berrien Artist Guild as they prepare to kick off their unique online art auction fundraiser by the same name for the Box Factory for the Arts in St. Joseph. 
Organizers are hoping everyone will get on board to “Raise the Box” in the event which will kick off at noon on August 18th and close at 11 pm on August 20th, but you can peruse the great array of items up for bid right now find your personal favorites and to plan your bidding strategy.
Auction items include:
- Sculptures
- Paintings
- Photography
- Art commissions
- Stained glass
- Vintage maps
- Fine art prints
- Gift certificates
- Dining experiences
- Items for pets
- Many more art-related objects
The auction items are available now for viewing, but remember bidding will not begin until noon on August 18th. To view the items and when the “gates open” to bid, go to the auction site at this link:
https://bag.betterworld.org/auctions/raise-box
You can also arrive there by following the link on the Box Factory website at:
http://www.boxfactoryforthearts.org
You can also follow the action on their Facebook page at this link:
https://www.facebook.com/BoxFactoryArts
Once it has begun, all bidding will close at 11 pm on August 20th.
The virtual event will feature streamed music on August 19th at 7:00 pm by Ed Bagatini’s “Revival of the Cool: A Jazz Tentette.” Featured musicians include Tim King, upright bass; James Cicenia, guitar; Rob Funk, baritone sax; Ruth Livengood and Ed Bagatini, trombones; Dino Jackson, French horn; Jay Crouch and Bump Enders; trumpets; and Dr. James Allen, drums.
Interviews of participating artists and members of the Berrien Artist Guild board of directors will be conducted throughout the fundraising event by Guild member Kate Ulrey.
You’re invited to follow along on Facebook and the Box Factory website to help Raise the Box.
The Box Factory for the Arts, located at 1101 Broad Street in St. Joseph is currently closed to the public due to COVID-19 requirements.
The artwork shared by the Box Factory for the Arts as examples of auction items shown in this story on Moody on the Market are from (top to bottom) Kristin Hosbein, Joel Brussell and Gary Cook.
