BISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION RAISES OVER $75,000 AT 17th ANNUAL ARTS AND APPETIZERS EVENT
The BISD Education Foundation raised $76,335.60 at the 17th annual Arts and Appetizers event. Emerging artists from the Brenham Independent School District showcased and auctioned off stunning pieces of artwork during the event held in the ballroom at Ant Street Inn this past Thursday.
This year’s event was held both live and virtually. The Silent Auction was opened to the public in an online bidding auction website which opened twelve days before the event and was available at the live event through QR codes. The online silent auction received an abundance of support and was a huge success bringing in almost $8,000.
The audience and support for this year’s event by both attendees and remote attendees was spectacular. Almost 100 remote bidders registered early, and kept the silent auction roaring, while those present were actively competing against the online bidders. The Live Auction was in person only and was entertaining to hear auctioneer, Rusty Mertink, engage with the live audience. Multiple sponsors, local officials, community members, parents, and BISD staff supported the event in person and online creating a very successful event.
Preliminary totals from the BISD Education Foundation reflect a total of $76,335.60 raised during the event, both live and online. This surpasses last year’s total of $49,912 by a whopping $27,423.60! This year, $48,030 was brought in through the live and silent auctions, $5,105.60 was raised by the raffle tickets, and $23,250 was donated to the Foundation through donations and sponsorships.
One highlight of the night came when Brannon Industrial Group secured the “Roca Del Rio” trip package with a bid of $2,700 and donated it back to be re-auctioned off for further benefit. In the second round of bidding the “Roca Del Rio” trip package ultimately went for $2,900 to Briannas. Overall the “Roca Del Rio Trip” brought in a grand total of $5,600 for the Arts and Appetizers event which was gifted to the Brenham ISD Foundation by Janet George, a former BISD Administrator.
Another highlight occurred shortly after when Brenham High School student Jessica Kruse sold her acrylic painting called “Red Velvet Roo” $2,600 which was secured by Mattress Guys.
Other top-selling items included Texas Aggie Baseball Tickets which sold in the live auction for $2,500 to Crain Group, an artwork donated by Brenham Middle School teacher Ben Lewis for $2,000 to Big Industrial Group. Wrapping up the evening we had an “Escape to the Wild” trip package donated by Kim and Lance Weatherby which sold for $2,700 to Crain Group.
The Foundation is thankful for the support of everyone who attended the event and supported our mission and the emerging artists of BISD.
The Brenham ISD Education Foundation will distribute the funds raised at the event to sponsor teacher mini-grants for items to use in classrooms. Anyone who was not able to attend the event, but wishes to contribute to the BISD Education Foundation, can mail their gift to 2211 South Day Street #330, Brenham, Texas 77833 or go online to the following link: https://www.brenhamisd.net/page/edfound.donate