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54 °F 5 Day Forecast Friday, November 28, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend September 19, 2003 Sidewalk bears up for auction in Grants Pass By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune GRANTS PASS — It’s hibernation time for 21 bigger-than-life bears that have delighted townsfolk and tourists on the streets of the city since May. The fantastically painted Fiberglas bears will be rounded up today in preparation for their upcoming auction to benefit local nonprofit charities, said Evergreen Federal Bank President Brady Adams. "I know there’s a sense of sorrow seeing the bears go, but they’re going to raise money for the community," said Adams. "And new bears will be coming out of hibernation next spring." Adams said the "Bearfest" idea came to him after seeing what the Chicago Cows, Seattle Pigs and Eugene Ducks had done for their communities. Advertisement Commissioning local sculptor Peter Sedlow to create the prototypes, Adams put out the call to artists last February. After one month of frenzied artistic endeavors, the painted bears were placed in front of local businesses up and down Sixth and Seventh streets. Fruit-hatted "Carmen Bearanda," buzzing "Bumblebear" and the rest of the fanciful bruins featured in the public art display created an instant eyeful for passersby. The upcoming silent auction will feature all 21 bears at a single location — the Grants Pass High School gymnasium. Proceeds will benefit charities such as Wildlife Images, Family Friends, Lovejoy Hospice and the YMCA. In addition to the bears, posters signed by all the artists and a quilt depicting each of the bears also will be auctioned off. Ellen Campbell of Rogue River is ready to bid on Will Storm’s bear, "The Journey." Campbell’s art gallery features Storm’s wildlife art. She wants the bear to sit outside as an added attraction, but says she knows she doesn’t have a lock on the big bruin’s future. "We’re going to bid on it, but nobody knows till the last bid," said Campbell. Proceeds from Storm’s bear will go to benefit the Gospel Rescue Mission. Local faux-finish and decorative painter Janet Gogue said creating her marbleized work "Bear Marble" was an enriching experience. "It was a unique opportunity to meet new people and be part of something for the good of all," Gogue said. "It was a very altruistic endeavor." Proceeds from Gogue’s bear will benefit the Josephine County Literary Council. The bears survived the summertime attentions of thousands of sightseers and "bear hunters" relatively unscathed. One bear’s pinecone lei and earring were stolen only to be mysteriously replaced with a new necklace and earring of silk flowers. "It’s been a great community-builder and a huge success," Adams said. "I was told it tripled tourism this summer." In fact, Adams says this project was so successful, he’s planning on tripling the bears for next year, commissioning 30 bears and 30 cubs to prowl in 2004. "If I had one complaint, it was that there wasn’t enough bears," said Adams. The "Wild Bear Auction" will begin at 6 p.m. Sept. 27 at the high school gym. Ticket prices are $5 each and are available at all Evergreen Federal Bank locations or at the door. For more information, call 541-955-0811, Ext. 3090. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times