Art sale raises about $10,000

OREGON – Original watercolors, hand-spun wool pillows and handcrafted jewelry were just some of the nearly 60 works of art auctioned at the Rock River Center’s “Art on the Hill” event.

The event Sept. 5 at Pinehill Inn was a fundraiser for Rock River Center Inc., a nonprofit agency that provides services for Ogle County seniors 60 and older. It featured numerous works of art donated by area residents and artists.

Although the crowd was a tad smaller than last year’s, proceeds were comparable to 2008 totals, said Karen Copeland, RRC executive director.

About $10,000 was raised for the new center, about $1,000 less than last year, she estimated.

“Our sales were down a little, but considering the economy and the fact that it was a gorgeous, long holiday weekend ... I think we still did pretty well,” she said.

The top seller was an original watercolor of the Oregon dam painted by Fred Bushnell of Stillman Valley that sold for $1,800.

The Rock River Center, formerly known as Ogle County Senior Services, Inc., is moving from its downtown Washington Street building to a new, larger building on South 10th Street.

The exterior is done; about $300,000 is still needed to finish and furnish the interior, which will include private offices, a banquet room, activities space, a cafe and an immediate care clinic.

Art still available

For more information about the Rock River Center or to donate, go to www.rockrivercenter.com or call  800-541-5479.

In addition, works left over from Sunday are being sold at the center.