Bear Auction raises $100,000 for NW Corner arts, health

The Northwest Connecticut Arts Council’s Bear Affair fundraiser reached a celebrated high Saturday, Nov. 10, collecting more than $100,000 to benefit arts and health programs in Litchfield County.

All 49 painted fiberglass bears that were up for auction sold for prices ranging from $500 to $16,500. A total of 80 bears now have new homes and have helped five nonprofit organizations meet a variety of goals.

More than 1,000 people gathered for Saturday’s event, for which publicity had been building for months throughout Litchfield County.

"The response of the community was overwhelming and the auction went beautifully," said JoAnn Ryan, president of the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.

The bear that received the most attention at the auction was "A Bear’s Eye View" by Sharon artist Eric Forstmann. The original sponsorship of the bear came from the Salisbury Pharmacy Group. Donated back to A Bear Affair, the fiberglass painted bear created a bidding war between two different cell phone bidders as well as live bidders in the audience.

Capturing an amazing $16,500, the new owners of "A Bear’s Eye View" plan on displaying their artwork at their home in Lakeville.

The names of the successful bidders were not released.

Other bears that created some heated bidding were "Hi-Bear-Nation Dreams" by Torrington artist Suzanne Kirschner, which sold for $4,600; "Stepping Out" by Lakeville artists Allen Blagden and Alan McCord, which sold for $4,000; and "Bears Dream in Color" by Cornwall artist Danielle Mailer, which drew $3,700.

At the end of the evening, 25 winning names were drawn from more than 1,100 entries to the Bear Hunt. Bear fans were encouraged to drive to area towns and see all the bears, then submit an entry form with all the correct bear titles, so they could be included in the drawing.

An official total amount has not yet been released to the public for the entire Bear Affair fundraiser. Money raised will benefit LARC, the Northwest Connecticut Arts Council, the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce the Tri-State Chamber Foundation and the Winsted Health Center Foundation will all benefit from the program.

"We have so many people to thank for the multiple successes of this event," said Ryan in a statement released after the auction. She thanked sponsors, artists, volunteers the public for participating in A Bear Affair.

"We met all of our goals, of which only one was financial," Ryan said. "A Bear Affair has been the talk of the region, with people flocking to find the bears and also enjoying the auction. We’ve received so many encouraging messages from bear hunters, artists, sponsors, families and businesses. We are truly appreciative to all involved."