Live Auction

As an archer I will probably hit one bullseye in a round of six arrows. But my students, aimed at their target and hit a bullseye on their first arrow. And they are SHINING! You have accomplished an amazing feat. You have used your gifts to make a difference and I am so very proud of you. -Miss Nell

"The experience of creating my shoes and being a part of the Step-Up Project was something I'll never forget. I had a lot of support from family, friends, and faculty encouraging and congratulating me on my shoes. All the support made this experience even better. Being able to actually hold my shoes in front of an audience, displaying what I created was amazing. Watching the audience then bid on my creation was also an unforgettable moment. It was great to see people come out, support our community, and make a difference!" - Eileen Nestor

Red Carpet Gala and Live Auction

May 16, 2021

There was magic in the air. It was in the artists’ and authors’ smiles on the Red Carpet, in their words as they shared their stories with potential clients and in the conversations among guests as they toasted their champagne glasses. The weather was perfect and the DeSoto Amphitheater was bursting with guests ready to experience their very first Live Shoe Art Auction. The students’ anticipation was building, as they wondered what their gifts would soon help raise.

The Trojanettes, directed by Elaine Cramer, set the tone for the Live Auction with their delightful voices. Heather Holloway of Holloway Media Services ignited the crowd with her electric personality as Master of Ceremonies. Mr. Shade, UDASD Superintendent, shared his thoughts on the importance of good character, and Magen Bowman, Events Coordinator of Lykens Valley Golf Course, provided a motivational presentation titled, “Fail Forward.” Then Lisa Ditty, shared her thoughts on the museum, “We survived Covid-19 shutdowns, thanks to a community that stepped up and helped us make hundreds of Learning on the Go packs to give free to families. It might have been a very trying year last year, but the fact that we are still open and families are returning, speaks volumes to what this museum means to so many. Our goal is to be around for many generations to come. Not just for our children but our grandchildren.

At one point, all 34 artists and authors took the stage, flanking their art teacher. With her students beside her, Ms. Nell aimed her bow, stating, “As an archer I will probably hit one bullseye in a round of six arrows. But my students, they hit a bullseye on their first arrow. And they are SHINING. You have accomplished an amazing feat. You have used your gifts to make a difference and I am so very proud of you.”

Then it was time for the moment we all were waiting for. Seventeen pairs of shoes, each held by the respective artist, took the stage and all seventeen sold. The calls by Yvonne Dockey of Dockey Auctioneer Services became more exciting as the bids increased: $350, $400, $500…In fact, the highest selling Art Shoe was by Madison Mortensen: her shoes, inspired by artist Ned Smith, sold for $510! There was a bidding war between the Ned Smith Center and an anonymous bidder. The bid paddles were flying up into the air, back and forth, as the crowd began to cheer. The Ned Smith Center stopped at $500. The anonymous buyer was a generous buyer, gifting the shoes back to the Ned Smith Center. Gracie Gehring’s Gustav Klimpt-inspired art shoes were second highest, selling for $410. A woman from Lebanon had seen the ABC27 News feature preceding the Live Auction, and came specifically for Gracie’s Klimpt shoes. The guest had traveled to Austria and experienced Klimt’s’s original, “The Kiss,”in person at the Belvedere Museum. Katy Engle’s pop art shoes were the third highest and sold for $400.

In all, Step Up raised $10,575! This included the sales of pedestals, Shoe Art Live Auction sales, and sponsorships. Shoe sales ranged from $65 to $200 to $500. Are you ready for the twist? An anonymous business made sure all shoes would sell for $250. For every shoe that did not hit $250, this business made up the difference. All pedestals sold, minus one, which will reside permanently at the Children's Museum showcasing, Kyah Starr's Georgia O'Keeffe inspired Shoe Art. Lisa Ditty, Executive Director of the Children’s Museum has said, “We might be small but we want to have a big impact on the families we serve,” and they will continue being that needed service for this rural community.