Annual garage sale fundraiser returns for Albert Lea Art Center
Published 9:00 am Saturday, June 7, 2014
Bev Jackson Cotter shows off a “mola” created by the Kuna people of Panama. This piece is an example of the things found at the Unique Junque sale. – Hannah Dillon/Albert Lea Tribune
By Hannah Dillon
It’s more than just a sale.
That’s how Bev Jackson Cotter described the Unique Junque sale, a rummage sale of sorts that benefits the Albert Lea Art Center.
The Unique Junque sale has been going for about 30 years. It was put off for a while until about 2006, when Cotter and the Art Center decided that it is a fun fundraiser and that it should be revived.
This piece of Norwegian rosemaling is just one of the pieces that will be sold at the Unique Junque sale. – Hannah Dillon/Albert Lea Tribune
The sale sells anything and everything. There are typical rummage sale items, art supplies, pieces of art and more.
Two examples of art that will be on sale at Unique Junque are a traditional piece of Norwegian rosemaling, or intricate painting, and a “mola.” The mola is made by the Kuna people of Panama, and it was created by cutting a pattern in the black fabric to reveal the colored fabric and patterns underneath.
Cotter said people who are interested in art seem to collect a variety of unusual things, and eventually it becomes too much. The Unique Junque sale is designed for this because people come to the sale because of the unusual items.
Last year, the Art Center did something different, Cotter said. A woman brought in a lamp and said it was the “ugliest lamp she had ever seen.” So, they advertised that the ugliest lamp ever would be at the sale.
Another woman was attracted to the sale because of the promise of the ugly lamp, and she ended up buying it as a gift for her sister-in-law.
This sale is sponsored by the members of the Albert Lea Art Center, and all of the items sold are contributed by these members. All revenue will go to the operating expenses of the Art Center.
Prices will be reasonable, but Cotter said that any extra donations are accepted.
“I think the people in the community are very generous and like helping the non profit organizations,” Cotter said.
She said that the sale is a fun event and becomes somewhat of a social gathering place.
“It’s more than just a sale,” she said.
The Unique Junque sale will be the same weekend as the citywide garage sale.
Where to go
Who: The Albert Lea Art Center
What: The Unique Junque sale
Where: 1206 W. Richway Drive
When: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 14
