Karin Lehotsky, the organizer of the Frogs on the Rock Gala Auction held September 13 at the Boundy Farm, is hopping with excitement over the event’s success. She said that, by auctioning off the 36 artist-designed frogs displayed over the last year throughout Winslow, they raised more money than anticipated, with all proceeds going to the Bainbridge Island Downtown Association. Exact figures have yet to be released.
Lehotsky, who dedicated two years of her time to the project, said, “We were thrilled with the turnout at the event.” She estimated there were about 400 people who attended the auction. BIDA Executive Director Jerri Lane said, “We met every goal we had set and deeply appreciate the community support we received.” She gave “a special thank you and tip of the hat” to Lehotsky.
Many of the frogs found their forever homes downtown, some in exactly the same places where they’ve been all year. The Bainbridge Community Foundation’s Kickstarter campaign succeeded in helping them buy back their Phil Copperhopper frog. “Friends of Jack” were able to win the auction for the Waterfront Park frog Jack so he can return to his place. Donors purchased the Hazel Creek Montessori School frog so it could remain on campus—Janice Pederson, the head of that school, was the event’s auctioneer.
Lane and Lehotsky
Lee Jorgenson won the frog that had been sitting upstairs at the Winslow Mall for a year, and now “El Sapo” will be on display at his downtown restaurant San Carlos. Lehotsky put together a “rescue” group to “save” the “Ferry Hopper” Frog that had been living at ACE Hardware. Her plan is to donate him to the ferry terminal “so that he can be a public art piece for all to enjoy for years to come.” The “Grand Marshall” Strawberry frog will be released to its new location in the Winslow Mall: a fitting spot in front of the Berry Patch. The buyers were surprised by his size and decided he would be better off downtown than in their personal possession.
BIDA promotes downtown business and activity, organizing events such as the July 3rd Street Fair, Girls Night Out, and Trick or Treating Downtown and decorating the downtown core with hanging flower baskets and winter holiday stars and scrolls. Lehotsky said this is the first fundraiser BIDA has ever thrown.
One auction attendee, Elizabeth Bamber, described the event as “replete with great food and drink, a beautiful setting, fun guests, and one-of-a-kind works of art that represented such a diverse portfolio of creativity and community engagement.” She added that it was “one of those ‘I LOVE living on Bainbridge’ moments” and congratulated the organizers for putting “BIDA and Bainbridge Island on the map once again.”
[portfolio_slideshow id=84918]
Related Stories
- One Bainbridge Frog May Be Forced to Leave His Home
- Hop to and Get Your Frog on the Rock Now
- Frog Invasion Jump Starts Community Art Project
- A History of Bainbridge’s Beloved Frog Rock
- Go Frog Wild: Artists and Sponsors Needed for Community Project
Photos by Lynn Keating Smith.