Lighter than Air Silent Auction

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

Private Mushroom Foraging Hike With Hope Corbin, Naturalist, and Education & Outreach Coordinator of Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust.

Hope is an avid mushroom forager and is Wild Mushroom Food Safety certified.

Learn about the edible, poisonous, and deadly mushrooms found in our forests, tips and trick on identification, and how to prepare wild mushrooms

Private hike for up to 6 people $300 value

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 Unisex Robe Donated by: Nancy’s Fancy and The Exchange Fair Market Value: $98

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 Bascom 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 8 people (kids or adults) with Ester Lipscomb Donated by: Ester Lipscomb The Bascom Fair Market Value: $1,000

Package #17

Package #17

Two spots to Marc Chatov’s workshop “Still Life Painting in Oils”

“Alla Prima” portrait by Marc Chatov, renowned contemporary realist painter

Donated by: The Bascom Fair Market Value: $1,000

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 sommelier 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

Package #36 $100 Gift Certificate to Lulu Bleu and a $100 Gift Certificate to Highlands Mercantile.

Donated by: Lulu Bleu and Highlands Mercantile Fair Market Value: $200

Package #37 Painting by Carroll W. Rivers Donated by: Carroll W. Rivers Fair Market Value: $1,000

and more...

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

Highlands Mercantile Jo and Jack Hill Maudie and Bill Huff Barbara Jamison Jewelry by Juley/ Juley Evans Ester Lipscomb Lulu Bleu 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 Carroll W. Rivers 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 b e l i eve i n t h e p owe r o f art to inspire a n d e m p owe r people and c o m m u n i t i e s .”

Your support of The Bascom enables us to keep art accessible for all.