From the beginning, the Treasure Fair has been multi-purposed. The primary objective of the Fair was, and remains, to raise money for ArtSpring’s operating expenses, but it also builds ArtSpring’s community profile, widens the circle of volunteers, and provides non-monetary opportunities for community members to make donations to Artspring.

The list of Treasure Fair committee members is illuminating – a Mini-Who’s Who of Salt Spring Island!  The event has been chaired by worthies such as:

2001            Ron Aird (for ArtSpring) & Anne Millerd (for Tuned Air) – a joint venture
2002            Jackie Shrive – now we’re on our own!
2003            Barbara McCaffery & Darlene Steele
2004            Wendy Rosier
2005            Judy Norget & Jane Winter
2006            Phyllis Holmqvist
2007            Judy Nurse
2008            Wendy Herbert & Fran McIninch
2009            Paul Neale
2010            Susan Eide & Wendy Herbert

And this list doesn’t even scratch the surface of the hundreds of others who have laboured on the various committees year after year – acquisitions, display, public relations, volunteers, data collection, & those who have overseen the production of the live and silent auctions.  How amazing is it that each year, over 100 members of the community collaborate to put together an event that is at once, entertaining and a financial boost to the local arts centre?

Treasure Fair tales?  There are dozens, but here are a few that are memorable…

2001 It all started when Bo Curtis had a brainstorm – if Tuned Air purchased the materials would Rob Denny build a beautiful, handcrafted canoe to be auctioned at the first Treasure Fair?  Yes, he would, and it was done.  On the evening of the Live Auction, bidding was fierce, but eventually Bob Harris was pronounced the winner, and Hugh Bulmer, the auctioneer moved on to the next item.  But wait… Bob H. interrupted proceedings to remark that his wife had just mentioned that there was no room at their house for a canoe, and could he please donate the canoe again, immediately?  Of course! The canoe was presented for bidding a second time, and this time Nancy Wigen was the happy winner.  One canoe; two successful bidders and double the profit (which was divided between Tuned Air & ArtSpring.)

In most cases this would have been the end of the story, but this is Salt Spring, so the saga continued.  Nancy in turn, donated the canoe to the Salmon Enhancement Society for their fall fundraising raffle.  When the tickets were drawn, Carol Nutton of Tsawwassen was the lucky winner of the canoe, and she promptly donated it back to the Salmon Enhancement Society for further fundraising!  This time, Bob Weeden came up the lucky winner, and the canoe had a new home … though not for long.

2002 Apparently there wasn’t enough room at the Weeden home for the canoe either, so Bob & Judy donated it back to ArtSpring the following year.   This time Dr. Don Shea won the bid, making it the fifth time the same item changed hands for charitable purposes within the space of one calendar year.   Generous folks, these islanders.

2007 When you entered the Silent Auction room, your eyes were drawn immediately to the beautiful red Japanese ceremonial kimono hanging on the far wall.  Bidding on the item was fairly active in the early going, but eventually, it was down to two bidders. They didn’t know each other, and both were persistent in their efforts to outbid the other.  Very near the closing bell, one of the bidders, George Sipos, was taken aside by the mother of the other bidder and quietly told that her daughter was desperately hoping to be the successful bidder since she wanted it for her upcoming wedding in Japan!  George gracefully stepped aside, and the kimono went to a wedding the next year.

2008 How excited we were to be offered a 1978 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible as the centerpiece of the Live Auction!  The gasp from the gathered bidders was audible as it was rolled onto the stage – making the effort to get it there worth all the behind-scenes effort!

Work on the 2010 edition of the Treasure Fair is well under way.  Most committees are fully staffed; however, if you’d like to contribute in some way, please contact either of the Chairs; Wendy Herbert (537-8755) or Susan Eide (537-4297).  And please keep the Treasure Fair in mind as you sort through your closets, garages, attics, wherever… Nighean Anderson (931-0931) or April Wright (537-9035), co-chairs of the acquisitions committee would love to hear from you if you have items suitable for either the live auction or silent auction, or even for the Cash ‘n Carry room.