Exciting things are happening at our beloved library! The Endowment Trustees and a dedicated team of volunteers are gathering an incredible array of items for a special, community-driven “Treasure” Auction.
We are working hard to complete the essential fundraising needed for an amazing library renovation project. This update will ensure our cherished space can beautifully adapt to meet the changing needs of patrons of all ages. To learn more about the upcoming transformation and view the plans, visit the Gleason Library Renovation Design Project page.
To make this fundraiser a true success, we need your help—and there are two fantastic ways to participate!
1. Mark Your Calendars to Bid
Whether you prefer browsing from the comfort of home or mingling with neighbors in person, we have an option for you:
- The Online Auction: Bidding opens on Sunday, October 11, and runs through Sunday, October 18, closing promptly at 4:00 PM.
- The In-Person Silent Auction: Join us in Carlisle on Sunday, October 18, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM for a lively conclusion to the festivities.
2. Donate a “Treasure” or Service
We are actively building our catalog and looking for high-quality donations to delight our bidders. We are currently on the hunt for:
- Art Pieces in all forms (paintings, sculptures, photos, textiles, wood, baskets, glass, pottery and more)
- “Service” Offerings (e.g., babysitting, cooking, baking, teaching a class, home services and so much more; put on your thinking cap, we know there are tons of Carlisle talent out there that a neighbor would love to bid on!)
If you have a “treasure” you would be willing to contribute, please click here to download the donation form:
Any questions, please contact us at GleasonPublicLibraryAuction@gmail.com.
A Sneak Peek at What’s Arrived!
The treasures are already starting to roll in, and they are spectacular! Here is a small preview of what you can bid on – click here for a more detailed list with pictures! Lists will continue to be updated as new items come in and are photographed.
- A complimentary One Night Stay in a Historic Inn Guest Room and Three Course Dinner for Two. Redeemable at the Concord’s Colonial Inn
- 5-Pack of 60-miniute private PILATES SESSIONS from Kendra Thyne Pilates
- A stunning machine-pieced and hand-quilted quilt – Quilt name: Rambling’ Rose meets Jamestown designed by Marti Michell, 80″ x 104″, Hanging pocket on the back For serious potential buyers, an individual viewing can be arranged. Just email gleasonpubliclibraryauction@gmail.com
- Paint and Sip Party for up to six in your home. The Melinda Burri will lead a paint and sip party in your home for up to 6 guests. You provide the venue, finger foods and any beverages you and your guests would like to sip. The donor will provide all the materials, paints, canvas, brushes, etc. and instructions for you and your guests to create an easy, fun, acrylic painting.
- Large casserole or serving dish hand crafted of stoneware clay and glazed with a combination of greens to create an organic effect. It is 21.5″x14.25″x3.5″tall, and can hold the equivalent of a large lasagna. It can also be used for chips/ dips and to display fruit on a countertop. The casserole can be used in the oven, microwave and dishwasher – but as with all stoneware, avoid rapid changes in temperature (ie from refrigerator to hot oven). made by Carlisle’s Melinda Lindquist
- Original Phad Painting by National Award-Winning Artist Gopal Joshi – one original 6×6 Phad painting from Rajasthan, India, by 2011 National Award recipient Gopal Joshi, hand-painted in vivid natural dyes and pigments. The art work is matted and presented in a simple black frame, ready for display.
- Create Your Mini-Memoir with Journalist and Memoir Writer Nancy Shohet West Could you tell the story of your life in two hours? If so, you could create a mini-memoir! Or you could focus on just one aspect of your past: your childhood, a birth story, an adoption story, a travelog, a story of how you started a nonprofit or founded a company. Any story from your life that can be told in one or two interview sessions could be a mini-memoir! Nancy Shohet West, a professional journalist and memoir writer, will meet with you for up to two hours of interviewing (by phone or in person if local), write up your story as a first-person account told in your voice, present a draft to you for review, and incorporate any changes or revisions you request, complete with any photos you supply. Your story will then be turned into a small, self-published, full-color paperback book.
- Handwoven basket made in Carlisle. The donor weaves reed baskets in a variety of sizes and styles, both traditional and modern.
3 one-pound jars of Steve Kirk’s honey - An original mixed-media abstract created in 1948 by the artist, Francis Jennings (1910-1993). Research has shown that his pieces are one-of-a-kind and have been listed on eBay, 1st Dibs, Artsy and other sites from $200-$2500. This measures 31”h x 24”w x 3”d and is in excellent condition.
- Counted cross stitch designed by Mildred Sands Kratz for Dimensions, made by one of our talented Carlisle artists, and professionally framed by House of 10,00 Pictures in Acton. The piece depicts a winter scene of a farm complete with grazing sheep. The vibe is all Carlisle!!!
- Renowned Naturalist, Author, Lecturer, and Guide Peter Alden of Concord, https://peteraldenwildlife.com/ has donated three signed books. His new memoir: “My Wild Life; Rare birds, close calls, and adventures of an eco-explorer”, “Finding Birds Around the World” by Peter and John Gooders; and finally National Audubon Society’s Field Guide to New England by Peter and Brian Cassie.
- Two water color paintings by Carlisle’s own Joan Allen. The paintings were created on location in Carlisle, feature handmade paper crafted from mulberry bark and banana leaves. Both pieces come matted and frame-ready
- Crochet baby blanket with the Very Hungry Caterpillar character from Eric Carle’s book, hand made by one of Carlisle’s artists.
- Kimball Farm Westford– 2 Give Me Three passes.
- “Pages Brook, Carlisle” Framed (with museum-quality glass), large pastel work of snow scene. Artist: Scott Stropkay (https://www.scottstropkay.com/works). Pastel Size: 11” high x 24” wide; Framed 21’H x 34” wide
- Signed and numbered print by Robert E. Kennedy “View from Miller Hill; Provincetown” 220/1500 Professionally framed by Kennedy studios, Muted View of the Sea
- 2027 Flower Share at Clark Farm in Carlisle, MA. Sixteen weeks of fresh-cut pick-your-own flowers beginning in mid-July 2027 and ending in the fall. Varieties include sunflowers, zinnias, snapdragons, strawflowers, and more!
- Boston Bruins Hockey Puck – along with certification indicating: ‘This certifies the authenticity of this Henri Jokiharju Signed Puck.
- Three (3) Auction winners will receive a 45-minute session with a Reiki Master. Currently the session is planned to be held at a public location in Carlisle. Did you know that a single Reiki session may provide deep relaxation, stress reduction, and a sense of mental clarity.
- Brew your own beer with Carlisle Brewer! He will host you and 3 of your family or friends in his home brewery for a ~3-hour brewing session, during which we will brew a beer style of your choice. I will explain the basics of brewing and fermentation, and after fermentation (a few weeks) I will can the beer for you and deliver it within Carlisle for your enjoyment! We will arrange a date for the brewing session, and the date will need to be set after the completion of some home renovations – likely February or March 2027. Max four people, please.
- Barley’s Bagels makes fresh bagels for the Carlisle Farmers’ Market most Saturdays during the summer. They are offering 15 Bagels of your choice to be delivered to your Carlisle home. Your choices include: sesame, poppy, asiago, plain, and everything.
- Two delicious freshly baked yeast coffee rolls filled with cinnamon and nuts (if requested); approximately 12” diameter. Delivered to your Carlisle home at a date mutually agreed to by Carlisle Baker and the winning bidder. Not on Christmas, Thanksgiving or Easter day.
- Stencil (in the style of graffiti artist) of Einstein playing dice. In 2010, an anonymous street artist put this image in San Francisco’s The Haight district. At the time, it was thought to be Banksy’s work, though that turned out not to be true. It has become a popular meme and this large original stencil was a gift around 12 years ago, done by a young Mill Valley, CA artist. It is a play on Einstein’s famous quote “God does not play dice with the Universe” in which he seemed to be refuting the ideas of quantum physics that showed a randomness rather than order. However, the quantum theory continues to be espoused today – so here is Einstein playing dice! It is large format (48” wide and I would approximate 60” long.
- Clark Farm Fall – Framed oil painting by AC Proctor, measuring 12”x16”. This piece depicts Clark Farm in the fall, a perfect match for our October auction! AC Proctor is a well-known artist based in Deep River, CT who exhibits regional landscape works featured in River Valley Artist and Clinton Art Society.
- Photo of Pin Tail Duck. The photo measures 8×10”; matted and framed it’s 12×15”. Photo taken 2/28/21 at the Concord River, Rt. 225 Bridge.
- Photo of Yellow-Rump Warbler. The photo measures 8×10”; matted and framed it’s 12×15”. Photo taken 4/27/22 near the Carlisle Cranberry bog.
- Mini-Quilt. Beautiful hand-quilted mini quilt with a hanging sleeve. It measures 17×13”. It has vibrant colors and is ready to hang and brighten any room. Made in 2014 by Marie-Michelle McCarthy in Ft. Myers, FL. McCarthy is a highly accomplished textile artist based in Fort Myers, Florida.
- $100 gift certificate to the wonderful Carlisle Artisans https://carlisleartisans.org/ generously donated by Peg Rollins of Rollins Insurance Agency, Inc. https://www.rollinsinsagency.com/.
- A framed and matted print by well-known artist, Phyllis Hughes, of Carlisle’s Town Green, framed 13.5”x8.5”. Sadly Phyllis passed in 2024, but you can learn more about her here: https://hancockmusicandarts.wordpress.com/about/the-corridor-gallery/phyllis-hughes-exhibit-2007/
- “By The Rude Bridge That Arches The Flood” painting by Maris Platais. This original painting of mixed media placed in the Top 100 in the first annual Arts for the Parks contest. The print is 780/SN – 78 APs and measures 18″x24″. Artist Maris Platais felt compelled to paint the bridge in Concord, MA because, “As an immigrant I have something in common with early patriots who adopted America,” he says. The title of his painting is from the famous poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson that immortalized the saying, “the shot heard ’round the world.” This shot, at Concord Bridge, signified the start of the American Revolution. “Arts for the Parks” was a national competition designed to celebrate representational artists, raise public awareness of U.S. National Parks, and raise funds to benefit the National Park System. “Picture Yourself” provided the framing, matt and glass for this piece.
- Large Shreve, Crump & Low Boston Harbor Bowl – Made exclusively for Shreve, Crump & Low, the Boston Harbor Bowl features a depiction of the historic Boston Harbor in 1800 entitled the “Birthplace of American Commerce.” The design is based on an interpretation of a lithograph by De Roy & A.J. Milbert from the early Nineteenth Century. Dimensions: 14.5″D x 6.25″ deep. Manufactured by Mottahedeh. See also: https://shrevecrumpandlow.com/product/boston-harbor-bowl. The bowl was presented to donor’s family before 1975 in mint condition.
- Personally Formatted Photo Book – Got Photos? If doing layup isn’t your thing, I can help. This item is an offer to format a photo book of 20-30 pages on Mixbook using your digital photos. I can then share the online book with you so you can order a print. It could be photos of a vacation or project, general family photos, “Year in Review,” or even something like a cookbook or wedding guest book. You can be involved in the overall design decisions, or you can let me wing it – your choice!
- “Only in New York” art piece by Charles Fazzino. Original 3D Pop Art by internationally renowned artist Charles Fazzino with works exhibited in over 600 galleries worldwide. The Print is 410/475. It measures 8×9″ on its own, or 19×21″ framed and matted.
- “First Snow” by Blanche Levine. Original watercolor by Ithaca, NY artist Blanche Levine. The piece measures 7.5×9.5″ on its own, or 12×15″ matted and framed.
- “The Milky Way” by Neal Parent. Original black and white photographic print by renowned Belfast, Maine photographer Neal Parent. Print is 2/200. The print itself measures 10×23″; it measures 16×32″ matted and framed.
- “February’s Blanket” by Neal Parent. Original black and white photographic print by renowned Belfast, Maine photographer Neal Parent. Print is 19/200. The print measures 13×19″ on its own, or 16×32″ matted and framed.
- “Heading for Shelter” by Neal Parent. Original black and white photographic print by renowned Belfast, Maine photographer Neal Parent. Print is 33/200. The print measures 18×13″ on its own, or 18×24″ matted and framed.
- Two (2) Ticket Vouchers to The Huntington for any 26/27 Season Production. The production options include Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird (October 8-November 8, 2026); Adia & Clora Snatch Joy (November 24- December 13, 2026); Meet the Cartozians (February 18 – March 21, 2027); and Unorthodox (May 6 – June 6, 2027). The winner can order tickets by calling or by emailing!
- ‘Goldens’ Photograph by Peter J. Baumgartner. This photograph is a favorite from a series titled ‘Foliage’. The self-published book of the same name has been exhibited in Hudson, NY and at the Griffin Museum in Winchester. The photograph is signed on the back, and was taken in Carlisle. Photograph printed by PJB; it is a 12×18″ image on 13×19″ archival-quality paper and inks. Includes matte & acrylic envelope. The matte size is 18×24″. To learn more about Peter J. Baumgartner, visit https://www.pjbaumgartner.com/about-contact.
- 3 Hours of Babysitting to be done at your home by an experienced mother and grandmother. Time and date to be arranged by donor and winning bidder. The perfect opportunity for a date night, or just a chance to relax!
This is only the beginning! We will be updating our inventory regularly, so be sure to check back to see the latest additions.
Thank you for your generosity, your community spirit, and your continued support of our library’s bright future. We can’t wait to see you at the auction!
The Gleason Public Library Endowment Trustees and volunteers