Are you ready to bid on unforgettable experiences and amazing local products?
Our online fundraising auction is your golden ticket to exclusive treasures, heartwarming moments, and life memories. Fantastic local business partners are contributing samples of their products and/or services such as luxurious local getaways, one-of-a-kind artwork, and shopping opportunities guaranteed to make you smile.
Auction Dates: Wednesday, April 2 at 8am to Monday, April 7 at 5pm
Why bid? Because every winning bid will go towards helping us upgrade our concessions area with two new POS systems! Our matinee lunch series is growing in popularity, the number of special events booked has more than doubled from last year, and our business party reservations are expanding. It is time to upgrade our point of sale registers to better handle cash and credit cards. 🌎✨
🔥 Top Reasons to Bid:
- Unique Finds: Discover rare gems you won’t find anywhere else. From unique gatherings to signed memorabilia, our auction is a treasure trove.
- Feel-Good Factor: Bid with purpose! Your generosity in bidding on items in the auction helps the Heyde Center bring arts and cultural events to our stage and galleries, which in turn, builds economic and community development in the area by learning about and supporting other local businesses.
- Winning Feels Amazing: Imagine the thrill of outbidding others and snagging that dream item. Victory tastes sweeter when it’s for a good cause.
Ready to make magic happen? Bid now and be part of something extraordinary. 🙌💙
The Heyde Center for the Arts Story
Mission Statement
The Mission Statement of the Chippewa Valley Cultural Association, Inc. (CVCA), dba Heyde Center for the Arts, is to be a catalyst for artistic expression and education to enrich the Chippewa Valley and beyond. In pursuit of our mission, we acknowledge, honor and value the dignity and contributions of all.
CVCA pledges to create and actively support an environment that respects and celebrates the diverse traditions, heritages, and experiences of everyone. In addition, we strive to provide all community members with an artistic space to discuss, understand, and address divergent opinions and ideas.
We define "diversity" to mean embracing differences in age, culture, ethnicity, immigration status, learning style, nationality, occupation, physical ability, race, religion, sex (including gender identity, pregnancy, and sexual orientation) and socio-economic status.
History
The Association was formed in 1976 to accomplish two main goals:
- Save the old McDonell Memorial High School building from destruction, and
- Restore it as venue for local artists, performers, writers and creative producers to explore, grow and share their talents with others in the region and beyond.
Additionally, the CVCA brings in gifted individuals and groups from outside the region with the vision of exposing Chippewa Valley residents to the talents of people from all over the world.
The Heyde Center for the Arts is the name of the historic building that was saved and restored to its present glory. The McDonell Memorial High School building was constructed in 1907 by a benevolent lumberman named Alexander McDonell in memory of his wife and children.
The building was closed in 1964 when a new Catholic high school was built on the other side of town. For years after it was closed, the building was vandalized and allowed to deteriorate. Most of the windows were broken. Rain and snow caused the wood floors to buckle. The plaster on the walls peeled. Flocks of pigeons took up residence.
The dream languished for two decades, but a group of committed citizens refused to give up. The CVCA issued a call to area residents, inviting them to reclaim the building.
Building Hours: Mon – Thur 10 am to 5 pm and Fri 10 am to 4 pm