WXXI's Annual Online Auction Runs April 9-16, Kick-Off Party April 1 at The Little

(Rochester, NY) March 14, 2016 – WXXI’s Annual Online Auction, running for one week only from April 9 to April 16, features thousands of items, including a 2016 Ford Escape from Shepard Ford, two roundtrip JetBlue airline tickets, an Old Towne canoe, a David Yurman Sculpted Sterling Silver ring, a 6-Night Getaway in Dublin, and some amazing artwork. Roycroft Master Artisan Laura Wilder and painter Cordell Cordaro return to the Auction as featured artists and are joined by mixed-media artist Mark Groaning and painter/muralist Nate Hodge. All four artists have donated original pieces and limited edition prints in support of Rochester’s public broadcasting station. Registration is open now to acquire a bidder’s account at WXXI.org/auction and all participants will receive two free tickets to the Little Theatre.

To celebrate this year’s Auction WXXI is hosting a kick off event at the Little Theatre (240 East Ave., Rochester) on Friday, April 1 from 6 pm to 8pm. Free and open to the public, guests will witness the amazing work of featured artist Mark Groaning as he creates a work of art that evening. That piece will be auctioned off at WXXI.org/auction starting April 9. Attendees will also be able to preview special Auction items displayed at the theatre, register for a bidder's account right on the spot, and enjoy a look back at the 48 years of WXXI Auction history. Refreshments and free tastings by local beverage providers will be available. For more information about this kicks off event visit the WXXI Auction Facebook Page or call 585-258-0287.

The Auction will continue its Daily Deals, which include a $500 Shopping Spree from Parkleigh, a Summer Share from the Good Food Collective and more! WXXI will unveil these Daily Deals at WXXI.org/auction and on WXXI’s Annual Online Auction Facebook page each day, and all items start with a $1 opening bid.

Proceeds from WXXI’s Annual Online Auction support the quality programs and services the station provides to the Rochester community, including PBS and NPR programming; locally produced documentaries such as Tailor Made: The Story of Rochester’s Garment Industry, Music for Life: The Story of New Horizons, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Boynton House: The Next Hundred Years, and Restoring a Masterpiece: The Renovation of the Eastman Theatre; locally produced TV series such as Second Opinion, Homework Hotline, and Need to Know, Arts InFocus, and radio series like Fascinatin’ Rhythm and With Heart and Voice; WXXI's Educational Video Library service, PBS Learning Media; and outreach initiatives such as teacher workshops, community forums, and film screenings. 

WXXI’s Annual Online Auction is sponsored by Amtrak, Canfield & Tack, and Shepard Ford.

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WXXI is the essential, life-long educational media resource for the Greater Rochester area. WXXI puts the community first with programming that stimulates and expands thought, inspires the spirit, opens cultural horizons and promotes understanding of diverse community issues. WXXI also has a long-term affiliation with Little Theatre, which helps enhance the cultural life of the community and strengthens two of Rochester's most vital arts institutions. Log on to wxxi.org for more information about our services and programs.