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Gulfport artist Ray Domingo’s lionfish-themed chair went for the highest bid of the 10 chairs auctioned at the Best Seat in the House, A Chair-ity Fundraiser event on Saturday, March 16 at the Art Village Courtyard. The auction raised $7,625 for the Gulfport Senior Center Foundation. “This was so classic Gulfport,” said Domingo. “I am proud to now be a part of Gulfport’s wonderful art community.” Photos by Eagle Finegan.
According to event coordinator Karen Love, the actual auction only lasted about 30 minutes, with bidders racing to call a number to auctioneer Phillip Bailey.
“This was so classic Gulfport,” said Ray Domingo, the Gulfport artist responsible for the lionfish-themed chair. “I am proud to now be a part of Gulfport’s wonderful art community.”
Domingo’s chair went for the highest bid out of the group.
“It’s a very fun, colorful work,” Domingo said of his chair.
Bidders had been waiting since the chairs’ debut in February at the Gulfport Art & Gallery Walk.
“I don’t want to release how much each chair went for, because that sort of makes it a competition,” said Love. “But I can tell you that our three top chairs went for over $3,000 combined.”
The Best Seat in the House Fundraiser donated the entire $7,625 to the Gulfport Senior Center Foundation.
Organizers say this won’t be the last time.
“I’ve always said that I plan on this being the first annual fundraiser,” Love said. “I hope we continue doing this every year.”
