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Painted Rain Barrel Auction returns (4 photos)

Barrels will be on display from Friday, April 5 at 5 p.m. until Sunday, April 7 at 3 p.m., in the Heritage Building.

THUNDER BAY—Artists have been known to paint on unique surfaces like buildings and cathedral ceilings, but a painted rain barrel is also quite an undertaking!

EcoSuperior’s 9th Annual Painted Rain Barrel Auction has30hirty of these unique works of art up for bidding this weekend. It’s a fundraiser for the organization’s environmental programs that encourage citizen stewardship throughout the Lake Superior basin. The painted rain barrels at EcoSuperior’s annual auction event are one-of-a-kind creations by local artists that can also provide effective stormwater management.

The 9th Annual Painted Rain Barrel Auction, presented by Landale Gardens, is back at the Spring Home and Garden Show at the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition grounds. Barrels will be on display from Friday, April 5 at 5 p.m. until Sunday, April 7 at 3 p.m., in the Heritage Building. Bids start at $75. Several barrels are already available to view in EcoSuperior’s online gallery on Facebook.

The silent auction format means fans can bid on their favourite barrel in person at the Home & Garden Show, but new this year—bids can also be texted to EcoSuperior at 807-252-9233 during show hours. Off-site bidders will be notified if a higher bid is received. Sunday at 3 p.m., bids are closed and winners will be notified to pick up their barrels and take home a unique piece of outdoor art!

“We are so grateful for the time and creativity volunteered by so many wonderful artists in our community,” says EcoSuperior event coordinator Jenelle Thacker. “There is something for everyone, with themes ranging from wildlife and butterflies, to indigenous art and local landmarks .”

Artists are competing for cash prizes including Best Environmental Theme, Best Group Art, and Best Individual Art. The event also includes a treasure hunt for kids, who can seek out design elements on each barrel for a chance to win a prize package, and also vote on the Children’s Choice artist winner. The artist who paints the barrel garnering the highest bid receives 50 per cent of the total bid as a prize. The record for highest bid since the event began is $475.

Each year, the event raises over $4,000 for EcoSuperior’s community programs such as the nature-based summer day camp for kids, Central Gardens Natural Environment Park, litter prevention activities and school programs.

Many businesses have supported the promotion of this year’s event as well as providing cash prizes for artists, including Landale Gardens, Dougall Media, Crazy Kazy Customz, Auto Home Paints, Copperfin Credit Union, CLE, Northern Credit Union, Michaels and Northern Window & Door Manufacturing Ltd.

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