‘Fall Into Art’ raises $11K for community art projects | SLIDESHOW

ARLINGTON — After a downturn in attendance and donations last year, the Arlington Arts Council's annual "Fall Into Art" auction bounced back Oct. 18.

ARLINGTON — After a downturn in attendance and donations last year, the Arlington Arts Council’s annual “Fall Into Art” auction bounced back Oct. 18.

AAC president Sarah Arney said the fundraiser surpassed organizers’ goal of $10,000, reaching nearly $11,000 thanks to the event’s 114 attendees, just six seats short of selling out at the Gleneagle Country Club.

Arney noted that most years’ auctions draw around $10,000, and have raised as much as $12,000, but last year only drew about $9,000, with less than 100 attendees.

“Last year, at least two or three of our regular supporters weren’t able to show up, and each of them is usually able to fill an entire table by themselves,” Arney said. “This year, we also benefited from signage around town, events such as the Arlington Art Walk, and visible projects that were completed recently, including the ‘Rooted Embrace’ sculpture and the mural on West Avenue. They all attracted plenty of attention.”

Arney explained that the AAC’s budget has grown enough for its members to choose whether to fund simpler, short-term projects or more involved long-term projects.

“It’s just my personal goal, but I’ve always wanted to see a sculpture for Haller Bridge on Centennial Trail,” Arney said. “It’d be neat to look up and see an osprey with its wings wide open.”

The council will draw up a formal draft of its next budget during its November meeting, before the final draft is approved in December.

The council meets on the second Tuesday of every month at the Arlington Boys & Girls Club at 18513 59th Ave. NE.

The Nov. 11 meeting will start with an artists’ workshop at 5 p.m., before the council meeting from 6-7 p.m.