ROCKLAND — In honor of Trekkers’ 30th year anniversary, the nonprofit youth mentoring organization will host a silent art auction after a 4-year hiatus. As a nod to the Trekkers’ spirit of adventure, the theme of this year’s auction is “journeys” and will feature custom-built pine wood paddles made by residents of Maine Correctional Industries. Each paddle will serve as the “canvas” on which artists across the state will be painting, carving, hanging fiber arts, and more.

The auction will run Wednesday, May 8, at 10 a.m., through Wednesday, May 15, at 4:30 p.m. The art will be displayed on the second floor of the Dowling Walsh Gallery in Rockland, while all bidding will be online. Previewing the art at the gallery is free and open to the public. A reception for all at Dowling Walsh Gallery will celebrate and close the final bids on May 15, from 3 - 4:30 p.m.

All proceeds will go to support Trekkers, a youth mentoring organization that serves middle and high school students in Midcoast Maine. In Trekkers programs, students gain access to caring adult mentors, experience collaborating as a team, and growth-oriented learning opportunities. The program has shown to increase resiliency, connection, and aspirations, according to Trekkers, in a news release. Learn more about Trekkers at trekkers.org.

Participating Artists:

Susan Lewis Baines, Nancy Baker, Kim Bernard, Mia Bogyo and Tara Anne Morin, Kate Braestrup, Pam Cabanas, Katharine Cartwright, Julie Crane, Ron Crusan, Carol Douglas, Kelsey Grass, Lily Hamill, Rachel Hendrick, Jean Kigel, Lauren Lewis, Allyson Lindsey, Bella Lord (Trekkers Class of 2026), Greg Mort, Colin Page, Peter Ralston, Amanda Ripley, Nick Runco, Bjorn Runquist, Virginia Slawson, Karin Strong, Gwen Sylvester, Jamie Wiggin, Sherre Wilson-Liljegren, Joel (Maine State Prison resident), Tia (Maine Correctional Center resident)

Dowling Walsh Gallery is hosting the event and Maine Correctional Industries crafted the paddles. 

The event is also made possible by annual business sponsors naretiv, Central Maine Power, and Adventure Advertising.

“Trekkers is grateful to all participating artists for sharing their talents – their generosity provides Trekkers with the opportunity to fundraise and ensure local students have access to caring mentors, opportunities to develop their interests, and support throughout their adolescent years,” said Trekkers.

Auction Dates: Wednesday, May 8, at 10 a.m. – Wednesday, May 15, at 4:30 p.m.

Art on View: Dowling Walsh Gallery

Online Bidding: https://new.biddingowl.com/trekkersartauction2024
Reception: Dowling Walsh Gallery, May 15 at 3:00pm – 4:30pm

For more information: https://www.trekkers.org/artauction/

About Trekkers:  

For 30 years, the nonprofit organization Trekkers has been dedicated to helping young people thrive. Through its unique six-year mentoring and expeditionary learning program, research shows programs help to increase students’ resiliency skills, ability to build positive relationships, and develop aspirations for the future. To learn more, visit the website at trekkers.org. 

Trekkers also offers training to educators and youth development professionals seeking opportunities to improve social-emotional outcomes for young people through the Trekkers Training Institute. To learn more about professional development opportunities, please visit the Trekkers Training Institute website.