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

2021 Arts & Appetizers event raises nearly $50,000

The BISD Education Foundation raised $49,036 at the 16th annual Arts and Appetizers event. Emerging artists from the Brenham Independent School District showcased and auctioned their brilliant art pieces during the event held in the ballroom at Ant Street Inn. This year’s event was held both live and virtually. Navigating the social-distancing standards, the Silent Auction was open a week before the event and was available at the live event through QR codes. The online silent auction received an abundance of support virtually and was a huge success. Multiple remote bidders registered early and kept the silent auction engaging, while those present were actively competing against the online bidders. The auction was streamed to the remote audience via Zoom, and provided bidders the opportunity to place their bids in the comments. This added excitement and healthy bid wars, and was entertaining to hear auctioneer, Rusty Mertink, engage with the remote and live audiences. Multiple sponsors, local officials, community members, parents, and BISD staff adapted to the change and allowed for a very successful event. 

Preliminary totals from the BISD Education Foundation reflect a total of $49,036 raised during the event, both live and virtually, surpassing last year’s total of $46,011 by $3,025! This year, $24,702 was brought in through the live and silent auctions, $6,110 was raised by the raffle tickets, and $18,100 was donated to the Foundation through donations and sponsorships.  

KWHI Article 1

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We'd like to say THANK YOU to all of our event sponsors. This year we raised over $18,000 through sponsorships. We truly appreciate the continued support for the students of BISD!

2020 Arts & Appetizers raises almost $50,000

Being our 15th year as a Foundation, we set high goals and aspirations of awarding the most mini-grants since our founding for the upcoming fall. With the turn-out and amazing support of this years Arts & Appetizers, we may just meet those goals!!

This year's event had the best artwork that we've seen in 15 years. In fact, we faced our first-ever experience of not being able to decide on the invitational artwork. We selected two seniors art pieces, printing two different invitations and a third senior's art piece as the media outlet/promotional invitation. 

This years live auction hit record-high bidding, and all items sold above average. Due to the generous support of Corporate and Local Sponsors helping us host the event, and the tremendous outpour of support from local businesses, community members, parents and BISD staff we were able to generate over $18,000 more than last years event!!! 

We continue to grow and surpass past number of audience attendees and revenue each year, and we couldn't be more excited. THANK YOU for all of the continued support. We thoroughly enjoy working alongside the talented artists' of BISD, and generating revenue for additional resources for BISD staff.

Check out the links below for additional information and footage of the event! 

Click HERE to view Arts & Appetizers 2020

Arts & Appetizers makes the NEWS

KWHI Article

Banner Press Article

KAGSTV Photos

2019 Arts & Appetizers

The 14th Annual Arts & Appetizers Event was the BEST ONE to date, raising over $33,000 !!! The Event was held at a new venue, Ant Street Inn in Downtown, Brenham and pulled in a record breaking audience. The artwork was phenomenal, and the highlight of the night was the sell of Jill Rosenbaum's piece, "Watchful Ranch Hand," which sold to Ray Morris of Bar CR Ranch for $2,100.00 !!! We are extremely honored and privileged to work alongside the BISD emerging artists' and hold this special and successful event which raises money for Brenham Public Schools. 

https://kwhi.com/arts-and-appetizers-event-raises-over-33000/

https://kwhi.com/crowd-fills-ant-street-ballroom-for-arts-and-appetizers-event/

https://kwhi.com/brenham-isd-set-to-host-arts-and-appetizers-at-ant-street-inn/

2018 Arts & Appetizers 

The 2018 Arts & Appetizers Event was a HUGE SUCCESS !!!! We are so proud and honored to hold such a special fundraiser that allows the BISD art students to showcase their work.