Spirited bidding marks end of Sunny and Chair Tour

Jamie Metz' Happy Tree Frog went for $1,600

The Sunny and Chair Summer '09 Tour officially came to an end Saturday, as the beautifully decorated Adirondack chairs that have been displayed Downtown all summer were auctioned off.

Eighteen of the chairs were sold by voice auction, raising a total of $20,200 for the Downtown Racine Corporation, sponsor of the annual summer art project. The total raised by the 37 chairs sold afterwards via a silent auction was not available.

Sue Horton's Fall Back (and Relax!) sold for $3,100

The chair that brought the most money was Sue Horton's Fall Back (and Relax!) which was bought by its sponsor, her husband, Daniel, for $3,100 after spirited bidding. Horton, who usually paints in acrylics, watercolor and pastels, has prepared entries for a number of previous Downtown art projects, including Racine’s Dog Days of Summer, Cat’n Around Downtown, Bears, Bears & More Bears and Bird is the Word.

Sherri Shaver's 1st prize Peacock Chair bench sold for $2,300

Sherri Shaver's Peacock Chair bench, a stunning glass mosaic that won the $2,000 first prize in this year's competition, sold for $2,300. At right, she receives her prize from Terry Leopold, DRC's director of special events.

Tied for third highest price among the regular chairs were Jamie Metz' Happy Tree Frog and Sherri Shaver's Vincent's Chair; each sold for $1,600.

The large chair displayed at Monument Square all summer -- and the subject of "literally thousands" of pictures, according to DRC executive director Devin Sutherland -- sold for $2,100. It was painted by Doug and Diane Soller.

At the auction, DRC also announced the winner of its Name the Barrel Boys Sixth Street mascots contest. The winner is Sherri Myers Wray, who submitted the names Cautious Clay, Monument Ali and Gorge Foreman. The new name for the barrels themselves is The Three Constructioneers, which was submitted by Cameron Fair.