The CET Action Auction will be from April 21-25, broadcast live on CET from its downtown Cincinnati studios. The auction will run from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. April 21-24 and 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. April 25.
Middletown will be featured on April 24, followed by wine night on April 25.
During the auction, Middletown resident and wildlife artist Chris Walden will create an original artwork. Walden was involved with the Action Auction last year and his rendition of a resting puma proved to be one of the most popular items put up for bid. Like last year, CET will livestream Walden’s artistic process throughout the week on www.CETconnect.org before auctioning the completed piece.
“Creating the piece during the auction last year was a very fulfilling experience for a worthy cause, and the piece turned out really great,” Walden said.
In addition to his work as an artist, Walden is participating in the auction as a co-owner of the new event center and gallery, The Windamere. Other local businesses supporting the CET Action Auction include: Start Skydiving, Milton’s Donuts, Canal House Bar & Grill, Forest Hills Country Golf Club, Legacy Fine Art and many more.
Judy Bober, assistant director of Cincinnati State Middletown, has solicited local businesses for donations and she estimated the value of the items between $10,000 to $15,000.
“I tell them, ‘This is your night to shine,’” Bober said. “It’s our way to expose the good things to the Tri-state.”
She described the response from area businesses as “overwhelming in a great way.”
A number of Middletown community leaders also will be helping with the CET Action Auction this year, including Mayor Larry Mulligan, TV Middletown’s Ty Thomas, and Hightowers Petroleum CEO Steve Hightower as event emcees and Dick Lang, Kelly Cowan, Bob Fairchild, Gary Cates, Jackie Hunter, the Rev. John Civille, Mike Scorti, Kristy Duristch, Matt Armbruster, Duane Gordon and Doug Adkins as auctioneers.
Dr. O’dell M. Owens, president of Cincinnati State, is returning to chair the CET Action Auction for a record-breaking fifth year. Owens hopes Middletown Night can become an annual event.
“It is exciting to involve another community in such a great cause,” he said.
In addition to ensuring that CET can continue providing the Southwest Ohio area with access to award-winning PBS programming and such local shows as arts Bridge and SHOWCASE with Barbara Kellar, the CET Action Auction helps support the station’s many educational services. These include early childhood and K-12 educator workshops and professional development events, as well as the American Graduate: Let’s Make it Happen initiative. Supporting CET during the auction and throughout the year helps safeguard its mission of strengthening the community by providing content and services that engage, inspire, inform, educate and entertain, fostering culture and citizenship.
In addition to bidders, CET is also seeking item donations and sponsorships in support of the live Auction. For more information, call 513-345-6579 or visit http://events.CETconnect.org.
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