Raising Time

What is the Wood Buffalo Timeraiser?        

The Timeraiser is a silent art auction with a twist. Instead of bidding money, participants bid volunteer time to agencies that need their skills and energy.  We purchase all artwork locally at fair market value and auction it off on the night of the Timeraiser. The Wood Buffalo Timeraiser will be held on April 10th, 2014. Successful auction bidders have 12 months to complete their volunteer pledge to organizations in the Wood Buffalo Region. The piece of artwork is meant to act as a reminder of their goodwill.

Last year more than 43 pieces of art were purchased for the Timeraiser. The artwork purchased put more than $18,000 into the Wood Buffalo Art community. The combined 43 pieces raised a total of 5,605 volunteer hours in the Wood Buffalo region.
(excerpt from Volunteer Wood Buffalo website)    

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I have the privilege of participating in my second Wood Buffalo Timeraiser, where three pieces of my work (one painting and two photographs) have been selected and purchased to be auctioned off in exchange for volunteer time.  It's a really innovative idea that supports local artists and generates volunteer hours for our community - it's a win-win!  Last year I attended as a contributing artist but was caught up in the excitement of bidding!  I had been admiring a stunning piece by Lucie Bause when I realized that all that was standing in between me and taking this painting home was my own volunteer commitment.  Although I don't feel like I have much "free time" it was a good way to connect in new ways with my community - I can't imagine I would have volunteered out of my normal realm if I hadn't been part of the Timeraiser.  

Want to be part of the excitement this year?  (It is a hoot to watch bidders scramble to outbid one another until the very last second!)  You can purchase tickets and get more info here!  Can't make it?  Head down to the Mac Island Gallery to check out the entire exhibit starting next week, all the way through to auction night.