Steffey auction will benefit memorial fund

A silent art auction that was initially organized to raise money for Wade Steffey’s reward fund will go on next week, but with a different purpose. \nThe 19-year-old Bloomington native and Purdue student had been missing since Jan. 13, but with his body recovered March 19, the art auction will now benefit his memorial fund. The memorial fund does not yet have a specified use.\nThe auction will take place at the Waldron Arts Center from March 26 through March 30, with an opening reception to be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 26. \nDozens of local artists, as well as artists from other states and even one from Scotland, donated art for the event. Local artists organized the event in conjunction with the Bloomington Area Arts Council. \nSteffey’s parents, Dawn Adams and Dale Steffey, have been artists in the Bloomington community for several years and are organizers of the Fourth Street Arts Festival. \nMartina Celerin, vice president of the Fourth Street Arts Festival and one of the auction coordinators, has known the Steffeys for about three years. She said the Steffeys have been involved in art fairs around the country for 27 years and many donations for the auction have come from friends the family has met from those experiences. \n“They are overwhelmed with the response and the people that are reaching out to help right now,” Celerin said. \nThe public may view the art during the Waldron Arts Center’s gallery hours from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Items auctioned off will include paintings, photography, jewelry, ceramics and fiber arts. \nDonations to Wade Steffey’s memorial fund will be accepted at the Waldron Arts Center next week. \nContributions may also be sent by mail to the Wade Steffey Memorial Fund, c/o Allen Funeral Home, 3000 E. Third St., Bloomington, IN 47401.