PAVSA’s 29^th Annual Art Auction will take place on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Holiday Inn in Downtown Duluth.  Doors open at 5 p.m., with the silent auction set to begin at 5:30 p.m.  Following will be the live auction, featuring pieces donated by local artists.  An additional highlight will be the dessert auction, with fine cheesecakes, chocolate delights, and other delectable desserts up for bid.  Appetizers and hors d’oeuvres will be served throughout the evening.  Tickets for the Art Auction are $50 each.

At the 2009 Art Auction, PAVSA will be honoring individuals through three awards.  Receiving the 2009 Community Ally awards will be Coral McDonnell and Officer Robert Carter.  Coral McDonnell has been actively involved as an advocate in the sexual assault and domestic violence movements since for more than three decades.  She worked with the Domestic Abuse Intervention Program for many years and has served on the PAVSA Board of Directors since 2006.

Also receiving the Community Ally Award is Investigator Robert (Bob) Carter, a long-time patrol officer and former member of the Duluth Police Sex Crimes, Abuse and Neglect Unit.  Officer Carter, who passed away in August, was committed to ending sexual violence and was a leader in addressing the issue of trafficking of adolescent girls in our community.  Bob was also an avid photographer and donated his work to the PAVSA Art Auction. 

PAVSA’s Artist of the Year Award will honor artists Michael Tonder and Jody Freij-Tonder, co-owners of Blue Skies Glassworks.  Michael and Jody have been longtime donors to the PAVSA Art Auction, and we are pleased to recognize them for their environmentally conscious sculptures, stained glass, and fused glass pieces.

To buy tickets or for more information about PAVSA’s 29^th Annual Art Auction, please call PAVSA at (218) 726-1442.