Silent Auction Preview
Pre Registration
We invite all gala attendees to pre-register for the silent auction with your preferred method of payment (credit card or debit card).
You can pre-register by contacting Haley Bleckley at development@thebascom.org or 828.787.2879
The silent auction will be open from 6pm to 8:45pm on the evening of the gala under the porte cochère. A last call for bids will take place prior to 8:45pm, and winning bidders are encouraged to take their items home with them after checking out with staff at the gala.
Please note that purchases at the silent auction are not tax-deductible unless the purchase price is above the fair market value of the item. If your payment is greater than the fair market value, you’ll receive a Bascom letter acknowledging the donation value.
As you’ll see in the following pages of the silent auction preview book, we have exciting offerings from art to adventures to peruse, and of course, all proceeds benefit The Bascom’s mission.
Package #1
Large oil on canvas seascape framed
Donated by: Maudie Huff
Fair Market Value: $2,100
Package #2
Small landscape oil on canvas framed
Donated by: Maudie Huff
Fair Market Value: $525
Package #3
Private guided mushroom foraging walk for up to 6 people. This can be done on the winner’s property or done at any of the HCLT properties around Highlands and Cashiers, during the mushroom season.
Donated by: Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust & Hope Corbin Fair Market Value: $300
Package #4
Hands-on workshop making salves and fermented beverages with foraged medicinal herbs. The herb selection will be season based and attendees will have the option of making one salve and one beverage (a recipe book will be included with this experience).
Donated by: Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust & Jessica Blackburn Fair Market Value: $100
Package #4
1.5 hour Mixologist Experience where Carlton Chamblin shares his approach to the art and science of mixology in your home. Each participant will be provided with the essential bar tools; shaker, strainer, jigger, muddler, etc. (alcohol, ice, fruit, glassware, etc. not included). Focus will be on making at least three cocktails/mocktails and learning the basics to create balanced signature drinks for any occasion.
Donated by: Carlton Chamblin Fair Market Value: $400
Package #5
General Drone Imagery
Donated by: Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust & Stephanie Contreas Fair Market Value: $200
Package #5
Private property consultation- a private walk at your property to learn about the flora and fauna found on your property’s ecosystem and how to best steward your mountain oasis. Included map used in HCLT’s protection process.
Donated by: Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust & Andrew Renfro Fair Market Value: $750
Package #6
23x30 original painting- your choice of botanical- unframed
Donated by: Carol Misner Fair Market Value: $1,300
Package #7
5 course Mexican dinner at Carol and Ann’s home for 6 with wine pairings
Donated by: Carol Misner and Ann Huckstep Fair Market Value: $1,400
Package #8
Large hardwood cutting board. 16x10x1.5 handmade with feet
Donated by: Al Bunch/Al B’s Woodshop Fair Market Value: $220
Package #8
Gift hamper including several varieties of artisan cheeses and meats, accompaniments, entertaining gift items
Donated by: One Wicker Cheese Fair Market Value: $300
Package #9
Handcarved necklace designed in Malaysia with carvings from the horn of a water buffalo
Donated by: Jewelry by Juley Juley Evans Fair Market Value: $120
Package #9
Lunch for 2 at Ruffed Grouse Tavern. $75 gift certificate
Donated by: Highlander Mountain House/ Ruffed Grouse Fair Market Value: $75
Package #9
Donated by: Nancy’s Fancy and The Exchange Fair Market Value: $98
Unisex Robe
Package #10
3 months of potted plants from Oakleaf
Donated by: Kirk Moore/Oakleaf
Fair Market Value: $300
Package #11
3 months of floral arrangements from Oakleaf
Donated by: Kirk Moore/Oakleaf Fair Market Value: $300
Package #12
Gala Center Pieces (multiple available)
Donated by: Kirk Moore/Oakleaf Fair Market Value: $120
Package #13
Circa 1890 American Faux Bois Planter on Stand filled with Kirk’s favorite plants
Donated by: Kirk Moore/Oakleaf Fair Market Value: $2,100
Package #14
Custom ceramic piece made by Frank Vickery
Donated by: Frank Vickery
The
Fair Market Value: $1,500
Package #15
Ceramic hand building class for 8 with wine included
Donated by: Frank Vickery
The Bascom
Fair Market Value: $1,000
Package #16
Private Art By Appointment for 4 people (kids or adults) with Ester Lipscomb
Donated by: Ester Lipscomb
The Bascom Fair Market Value: $500
Package #17
Two spots to Marc Chatov’s workshop “Still Life Painting in Oils”
Donated by: The Bascom Fair Market Value: $1,000
Package #17
“Alla Prima” portrait by Marc Chatov, renowned contemporary realist painter
Donated by: Stephanie and Bill Reeves Fair Market Value: $2,000
Package #18
Martin DX2E “Billy Strings”
Acoustic Electric Guitar with soft shell case plus guitar stand
Donated by: George’s Music Fair Market Value: $917
Package #19
Highlands, NC weekend stay at charming 3 bedroom 2 bathroom house off of Billy Cabin Road. 2 wood burning fireplaces, fully equipped for 12 dinner guests and 6 staying guests
Donated by: Kathy and Tony Prosser Fair Market Value: $1,400
Package #20
Golf for 4 at High Hampton. Includes cart and warm-up range balls
Donated by: High Hampton Fair Market Value: $1,600
Package #21
Japanese kaiseki 7-course dinner for 8 served in the winning bidder’s home
Donated by: Chris Duffy Fair Market Value: $2,500
Package #22
Cocktail party for 12 on the Soda Kiln Pavilion. Alcohol included. Catering separate.
Donated by: The Bascom Fair Market Value: $3,600
Package #23
Brunch for 16 with cocktails in the garden (Bloodies and Champagne) and lunch on the porch at the home of Ruthie and Berry Edwards
Donated by: Ruthie and Berry Edwards Fair Market Value: $2,800
Package #24
Original Art titled “Equal Rights” from Nancy Race. 24x24
Donated by: Nancy Race Fair Market Value: $950
Package #25
Golf for 4 at Cullasaja Club
Donated by: Cullasaja Club Fair Market Value: $1,100
Package #26
“Home of the Free”- Reclaimed Antique Wood painted American Flag. 38x20.5 including frame. Made from 200-300 year old Oak from Western North Carolina/Eastern Tennessee. Next year, 2026, is the sesquicentennial 250th anniversary of the US and this is a wonderful commemorative item.
Donated by: Doug Bischoff Fair Market Value: $1,500
Package #27
A VIP wine tasting afternoon or evening with winemaker, Guy Davis, for 3 couples that includes wine and charcuterie, plus each couple gets a bottle of their favorite wine of the visit to take home with them.
Donated by: Guy Davis Davis Family Vineyards
High Country Wine + Provisions Fair Market Value: $450
Package #28
Lobster dinner for 6 on beautiful Lake Sequoia hosted by Chef Finley Merry assisted by Jenny Lynn Bradley and Maudie and Bill Huff. Each couple will be offered a bottle of champagne and wine.
Donated by: Finley Merry, Jenny Lynn Bradley, and Maudie and Bill Huff Fair Market Value: $1,000
Package #29
Sterling Silver fabricated set; necklace and bracelet. Silver, pink, white freshwater pearls
Donated by: Bijou/Laurel Parham Fair Market Value: $550
Package #30
$400 gift card to Highland Excursion. Adventure for sightseeing, hiking, or wine tour
Donated by: Highlands Excursion Fair Market Value: $400
Package #31
One free night stay, dinner for 2 at the Highlands Supper Club, and 50 minute Nordic spa experience for two
Donated by: Trailborn Highlands Fair Market Value: $450
Package #32
2 person half-day of guided fishing on the Davidson River Private Water, located in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina with guide Walker Parrott.
Donated by: Walker Parrott Davidson River Outfitters Fair Market Value: $500
Package #33
Premier Cru and Gran Cru Wine Tasting for up to eight guests. Steve and Gloria Pignatiello are one of four commelier teams in America. The tasting will include champagne and both Premier Cru and Grand Cru wines from Burgundy for 6-8 guests. These wines are from small family winemakers which they personally drink. Small bites to cleanse the palate between wines will be provided by Alice Quinif and Jo Hill. Alice Quinif will host the tasting at her home in Cullasaja (or your home if you prefer)
Donated by: Alice Quinif, Jo and Jack Hill, and Steve and Gloria Pignatiello Fair Market Value: $1,250
Package #34
Two weekend passes to all events for the inaugural Highlands Cashiers Film Fest at the Performing Arts Center on September 18th-21st. Includes two Gala tickets, 2 Bogart cocktail party tickets, and 2 weekend passes for all movies.
Donated by: Highlands Cashiers Film Fest at the PAC Fair Market Value: $900
Package #35
Nestled on St. Simons Island’s East Tenth Street with an expansive backyard and oceanfront views, Cottage 131 is merely .5 miles from the resort. With 6 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms, this cottage can comfortably sleep up to 12 guests. The master and bedrooms 2, 3, and 4 are located downstairs and bedrooms 5 and 6 are upstairs.
As a private home, it boasts a fullyequipped kitchen, washer and dryer, and concierge service for activity and dining reservations. Guests receive access to all Sea Island Resort facilities.
Outside, this property offers a private pool and hot tub, which may be heated for an additional fee, and plenty of parking space. The Tenth Street Beach Access is adjacent to the property for leisurely beach outings.
Pets are not permitted in this home, check-ins and check-outs on Saturday. Choose a week between the dates of 9/02/2025 - 10/11/2025.
Donated by: Cathy and Bob Fisher Fair Market Value: $22,500-$26,500
Silent Auction Donors
Bijou/Laurel Parham
Doug Bischoff
Jessica Blackburn
AlB’s Woodshop/ Al Bunch
Jenny Lynn Bradley and Finley Merry Club at High Hampton
Stephanie Contreras
Hope Corbin
Cullasaja Club
Davidson River Outfitters
Guide Walker Parrott
Davis Family Vineyards/High Country
Wine + Provisions/Guy Davis
Chris Duffy
Ruthie and Berry Edwards
Farm2Cocktail/ Carlton Chamblin
Cathy and Bob Fisher
George’s Music
Highland Excursion
Highlander Mountain House
Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust
Highlands-Cashiers Film Festival
Jo and Jack Hill
Maudie and Bill Huff
Barbara Jamison
Jewelry by Juley/ Juley Evans
Ester Lipscomb
Carol Misner and Ann Huckstep
Nancy’s Fancys & The Exchange for Men
Oakleaf/ Kirk Moore
One Wicker Cheese Co.
Steve and Gloria Pignatiello
Kathy and Tony Prosser
Alice Quinif
Nancy Race
Stephanie and Bill Reeves
Andrew Renfro
The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts
Trailborn Highlands
Frank Vickery
Thank you to our Silent Auction Committee
Ann Huckstep (Co-Chair)
Carol Misner (Co-Chair)
Kathy Prosser
“We believe in the power of art to inspire and empower people and communities.”
Your support of The Bascom enables us to keep art accessible for all.
