Fountain auction to benefit nonprofits
Original one-of-a-kind sculptural fountains, with the sensory stimulation of falling water, have mesmerized downtown Coeur d’Alene visitors since early spring.
It is impossible to take the “Walk of Wishes,” along Sherman Avenue from Second through Fifth streets, and not toss a coin or two into these beautiful fountains.
“The coins collected support benefiting nonprofit organizations, and also help the coin-tosser’s personal wishes come true as well,” says Eden Moreland, Fountain of Wishes Project chairwoman and strategic client partner of range, a marketing integration/branding firm.
Moreland was very involved in the Excel Foundation fundraiser No Moose Left Behind Public Art Project.
“I just hated to see all that community spirit disappear,” she says.
A former Kansas City resident, Moreland was used to seeing fountains.
“Kansas City has more fountains than any other city in the world except Rome.”
After moving to Coeur d’Alene, she was surprised to discover that the Lake City had no water art.
“Fountains add a beautiful ambience to a city,” says Moreland, “This gave me the idea for the Fountains of Wishes Community Art Project.”
The description of one of the fountains, titled “Helping Hands,” which was sculpted by Randy Raak, says the imagery of a helping hand is a universal symbol for giving. Giving is definitely what this project is all about.
“There are 19 fountains that will benefit 21 nonprofits who will receive the net proceeds from the sale of the fountain that has been sponsored in their name,” says Moreland.
Each fountain is an original, unique piece of art created from scratch by an artist in the name of a 501(c)3 organization through funds provided by a sponsor’s donation.
Through these sponsorships, artists have created fountains that measure 5 square feet at the base and up to 7 feet high. Mediums range from metal, bronze and copper, to painted ceramic, tiles, cement and granite.
Artists include Terry Brinton, Leon Sproule, Richard Warrington, Tyree Kearns, David Clemons, Donna Bain, Rann Haight, Randy Raak, Virginia Carter, Jason Sanchez, Terry Lee, Randy Houghton, Allen and Mary Dee Dodge, Judy Minter, Wes Warren and Buddy Paul.
The fountains will be auctioned next Saturday at the Nichols/Shields residence on Lake Coeur d’Alene from 3 to 7 p.m. A boat will shuttle people to the auction and will depart from the east side of the Coeur d’Alene Resort boardwalk at 2:30 p.m.
There will be a residence tour and culinary delights provided by Angelo’s, BRIX, Cricket’s Steakhouse, Greenbriar Catering, Moxie/Bluefish, and Tony’s on the Lake, and beverages from Odom Distributors.
Robin Nance, KXLY news reporter, will be the event emcee.
Tickets are limited and are $150 per person and can be purchased from the North Idaho College Summer Theatre box office, (208) 769-7780 or (800) 423-2849.
Fountain of Wishes was created and executed by MERGE, a Fundraising Organization Inc., with the assistance of a group of volunteers. MERGE stands for Merging Elements Required for Great Events. It is a for-profit company that creates and facilitates unique events centered around art for the purpose of raising funds and awareness for nonprofit organizations.
“The nonprofits collect 100 percent of the coins and 90 percent of the overall project net proceeds after project and event expenses,” says Moreland.
Project profits include the fountain sales through auction, as well as any profits resulting from the auction ticket sales. The remaining 10 percent of the net proceeds go to MERGE as compensation for 22 months of work on the project.
Beneficiaries include Coeur d’Alene Firefighters Local 1494, Wishing Star Foundation, Boys and Girls Clubs of Spokane/Kootenai County, Project Safe Place, Human Rights Education Institute, Holy Family Catholic School, C.A.S.A., United Way of Kootenai County, Lutheran Academy of the Master, The Salvation Army Kroc Community Center, Trinity Lutheran Church, Vandals Scholarship Fund, Idaho Drug Free Youth, The Women’s Center, Kootenai County Police and Fire Memorial Foundation, Kootenai Alliance for Families and Children, Kootenai County Substance Abuse Council, Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre, Dirne Community Health Center, and St. Vincent de Paul.