Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva hosts a unique online auction and appraisal event

In lieu of the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva, USA’s, traditional “Peek at the Unique” home tour, club members developed an innovative and equally unique fundraiser for 2021. “Peek Repurposed” provided a fresh spin on the club’s ongoing fundraising efforts. The event included an online art and repurposed furniture auction and an antiques and jewelry appraisals event, both of which were great successes.

Co-president Joyce Ross said, “Like most organizations, we had to rethink our signature fundraiser — a nearly 20 year tradition of home tours — and create a more virtual format. We were delighted to receive enthusiastic support once again!"

The club set up an online auction and invited local artists to donate works to the cause. More than 30 artists and two galleries were featurred. Zontian and artist Marianne Ravenna, a Tower Gallery member since 2002, worked diligently, using her knowledge and influence in the art world, to acquire many of the beautiful pieces of artwork for the auction. 

Bokeelia Art Gallery donated a limited-edition giclee of a painting by Darryl Pottorf titled “Times of the Islands,” and also donated “Dark Sacred Night,” an acrylic on canvas by the late Jean Dean. These two items were among the top money raisers in the auction.

“We are so very grateful to our experts, Scot Congress and Carlos Fernandez of Congress Jewelers, and antiques appraiser H. Peter Curran and his wife, Nancy Vorel,” said organizers Halle Smith and Barbara Beran. “Several people were surprised and pleased to learn the approximate value of certain items they owned far exceeded their expectations.”

Zonta also thanks J. McLaughlin women’s wear, which hosted a “Sip & Shop” the same day at their two island locations and generously donated part of the day’s income to the event. Zontians were on hand to assist shoppers.

Proceeds will be awarded in grants to area non-profits whose work helps empower women and girls. Zonta SanCap hopes to return to the traditional home tour for 2022. For more information, visit ZontaSanCap.org.