PHILIPSBURG – The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, held an Art Auction on Saturday evening, the 9th of December 2017 at the Conference Room of the New Government Building in Philipsburg.
This project stemmed from the #SXMStrong Campaign which was held in the month of November and was facilitated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, together with General Affairs and Bearing Point. The initiative was taken to assist the schools after the devastation of Hurricane Irma and all proceeds from the bidding is given directly to the school that created the art work.
Invited guests and exuberant bidders in attendance included 1st Vice-President of the Collectivité Valerie Damaseau, Territorial Council Member Alex Pierre, Chief Advisor to The President Hervé Dorville, the Ombudsman Nilda Arduin, Members of Parliament Claret Conner and Tamara Leonard, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Anastacio Baker, school board representatives, school managers, teachers and students.
Some 12 4×4 foot wooden boards used as easels by primary and afternoon schools featuring creativity and the emotions of the young artists were auctioned Saturday evening in the conference room at the Government Administration Building as part of the Road to St. Martin Day 2017 #SXMStrong Campaign netting ANG 15,780.00 in total for participating schools.
The participating schools were Montessori, Seventh Day Adventist School, St. Joseph Primary School, Sister Magda Primary School, Sister Regina Primary School, Marie Genevieve de Weever Primary School, St. Dominic Primary School, Leonard Connor Primary School, Oranje Primary School, Learning Unlimited Preparatory School, No Kidding with our Kids After School and the Positively Active After School kids.
The auction was organized by the #SXMSTRONG EOM ART AUCTION TEAM which consisted of Ms. Thamara Cannegieter, project assistant, Ms. Lydia Arnell, Executive Assistant, Ms. Lucinda Arduin, Events Coordinator, Mr. Valentin Davis, Renowned Owner of Sheer Art Gallery and was led by Ms. Angelique Romou Project Manager EOM.
The auction started on a very high note as Mr. Valentin Davis, the auctioneer for that evening, enticed the bidders to bid remembering that the purpose of the auction was to raise funds for the schools. The bidding started at fls. 300, and the highest bid for the evening was ANG. 3800, -.
The results were amazing as the art pieces were out on display since St. Martin Day leading to Saturday’s Auction. All proceeds from the #SXMStrong Art Auction 2017 would go back to the schools. Bidders did not disappoint as it was a great evening of camaraderie and good natured competitive fun as members of the audience vied for their favorite pieces.
Minister Jacobs of the Ministry ECYS, and the Project Team would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the local businesses that aided the project such as Kooyman N.V. for providing the plywood and paint material needed to create the canvas boards, Office World for sponsoring the paint and The St. Maarten Vocational Training School for the art boards and stands which was created by the Woodshop teacher and students. And also a big Thank You to all who made the paintings and the #SXMStrong Art Auction 2017 possible.
