Local attorney Martha A. Grant recently donated a late 1800s carved walnut Venetian Grotto chair, valued at $2,750.00, to the Wintergreen Arts Center.

Wintergreen Arts Center
Wintergreen Arts Center
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The Grotto chair was appraised by Skinner Appraisal Services of Boston, Massachusetts, where it will be included in an upcoming European auction on October 13.  The public may view and participate in the auction online at http://www.skinnerinc.com/auctions/3031B.

Proceeds from the sale of the Grotto chair at auction will go to Wintergreen.  This donation kicks off the art center’s third annual CHAIR-ity event which culminates with the sale of often whimsically repurposed chairs by local artists at the 70th Annual Presque Isle Rotary Auction in December.

“The chair originally belonged to my late father’s stepfather, Frank J. Barnard,” said Grant, who practices elder law and estate planning from offices on Main Street in Presque Isle.  “Frank owned a book-binding company and lived in Belmont, Massachusetts.  We think he purchased the chair while travelling in Italy with his wife in the 1920s.”

Kim Guerrette Michaud, chairman of Wintergreen’s Board of Directors, said, “We are truly grateful for Martha’s generosity.  Her gift is something that not only helps support our Center’s mission; it is also a fun way to kick off our Annual CHAIR-ity event.  This year we’re starting with Martha’s donated antique chair at a European auction, and we’ll end the event in December with dozens of donated chairs, painted and repurposed by local artists, and sold during the 70th Annual Presque Isle Rotary Auction."

Grant added, “I love the chair, but we don’t use it.  Seeing Wintergreen directly benefit from its sale in their efforts to encourage creativity and the arts in Aroostook County is the perfect solution.”

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