Own a Piece of the Blues! Bidding Opens on One–of–a–Kind Treasures Commemorating the 2013 Bradenton Blues Festival
Proceeds from the auction of original artwork by Mary GrandPré and custom-designed “Blue Note” diamond earrings by Tom Seguin will benefit Realize Bradenton’s music and youth programs.
Realize Bradenton (Bradenton, FL), the non-profit behind the Bradenton Blues Festival, is taking bids on “Blues 2,” the original artwork created for the festival by celebrated Harry Potter illustrator Mary GrandPré. Also on the auction block are “Blue Note” diamond earrings, valued at $3,500 and created for Realize Bradenton by master gemologist and appraiser Tom Seguin. The public is invited to view these creations and make a bid at Suncoast Gems, 4016 Cortez Road West, Suite 1201, in Bradenton.
Starting bids on both items are $1,500 and bid increments are $100. Bidding is open through Wednesday December 4, 2013. The final live auction will take place around 6 p.m., at the Bradenton Blues Festival, Saturday, December 7, just before acclaimed blues vocalist Shemekia Copeland takes the stage. Proceeds from the auction will benefit Realize Bradenton’s youth and music programs.
“This is a unique opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind creation and also support a great event and a great cause,” says Johnette Isham, executive director of Realize Bradenton. “We’re extremely grateful to Mary GrandPré and to Tom Seguin for their generosity and dedication to the festival and to our community.”
“Blues 2″ is the original 30″ x 30” acrylic/collage panel created expressly for the 2013 Bradenton Blues Festival by Mary GrandPré. For the second year in a row, GrandPré has illustrated the Bradenton Blues Festival poster and also donated her original artwork—a collector’s item—to benefit Realize Bradenton’s youth outreach programs.
Master gemologist Tom Seguin has added more sparkle to this year’s auction with his donation of the “Blue Note” earrings, a pair of 14-karat white gold and diamond earrings custom designed for the festival by his company Suncoast Gems. The earrings sport two blue diamonds weighing a total of 0.38 karats with VS-2 clarity, and 56 round brilliant cut diamonds of G to H in color and VS clarity, with a total weight of 0.86 karats.
Additional Bradenton Blues Festival merchandise and memorabilia include t-shirts, hats and a handful of last year’s iconic limited-edition poster—all on sale at Keeton’s Office and Art Supply, 817 Manatee Avenue West in downtown Bradenton, and online at a site hosted by Manatee Apparel Graphics at www.manateeapparel.com/realizebradenton/home. Shirts and hats are $20 each, or $35 for both. Posters are $50. The 2013 festival posters, in a limited-edition of 200 and signed by the artist, are on sale now.
Isham urges interested Blues fans to visit Keetons, Suncoast Gems and the apparel website soon to get their piece of the blues. “Quantities are limited and these items are selling fast,” she says.
The 2013 Bradenton Blues Festival, a family-friendly day of top blues stars and inspired food and art, returns to downtown Bradenton’s Riverwalk, December 7, 2013. The 2013 lineup includes:
- The acclaimed young vocalist Shemekia Copeland
- The celebrated Eddie Shaw & the Wolfgang
- Musical siblings Danielle, Kris and Nick Schnebelen of the critically acclaimed Trampled Under Foot
- Guitarist, singer, and songwriter Anthony Gomes
- Rising blues star John Nemeth
- Mississippi soul-blues man Johnny Rawls
- The Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones with Dennis Gruenling band
- Soulful, rising blues star, Albert Castiglia
Tickets are $30 in advance; $40 at the gate; $25 per person for groups of 10 or more; $20 for students; and $10 for children, ages 5-12. Children four and under will be admitted free.
For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.BradentonBluesFestival.org.
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