Stressed over finding a unique Christmas gift for someone special? Your solution may be just around the corner.

The 12th annual Silent Auction and Wine Tasting will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, at the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center. A variety of original works created by area artists plus gift certificates and items from local merchants will be available to the highest bidder.

Sponsored by Piggly Wiggly of Orangeburg and The Times and Democrat, organizers say quality artwork has made the Silent Auction a popular annual event. An Aleph Wines Distributors representative will also be available to answer questions and offer advice on an assortment of wines from five different continents.

Gregg Waters of Piggly Wiggly is a member of the OCFAC's board of directors. He says the auction offers opportunities for one-of-a-kind holiday gifts.

"The wine tasting has been a good addition, too," Waters said. "It allows exposure to different wines that people may not have been inclined to purchase and use at home. Many who attend entertain over the holidays, and they find a wine that's perfect for the parties they host."

Waters says the idea behind the fund-raiser was to "do something different."

"Few local groups were doing silent auctions at the time this began," Waters said. "We felt we could do it different by mixing in as much original art as possible. As long as I can remember the most popular pieces is the art. Everyone that comes enjoys it."

Waters says works by noted Claflin University artist-in-residence Dr. Leo Twiggs have always been popular during the auction. Twiggs has designed two White House Christmas tree ornaments representing South Carolina this decade.

Some other items available at the Silent Auction include an Esque candle from Ann's House of Treasures; an original watercolor by North Carolina artist Chuck McLachlin; a hand-carved duck from Dr. Robert Moe; a hand-embroidered shawl from India; a hand-turned maple bowl by Dr. Ben Pendarvis, two season tickets to the Orangeburg Part-Time Players 2010 Season; an original painting by Campbell Frost; a stained-glass Christmas ornament by Alice French; one month of piano lessons with Lindi Jenkins; a two-piece hand-painted cake stand by Pennie Sifly; an original painting by Jo Wyrosdick; hand-carved and hand-painted decorative gourds from the Edisto Patch, and more.

Admission to the Silent Auction and Wine Tasting is $10 per person. Tickets are available at the OCFAC, at 649 Riverside Drive in Orangeburg. Bidding will close promptly at 8:30 p.m., and winners who are not present at the close of bidding will be notified.

For more information or to reserve tickets, call the OCFAC at 803-536-4074.

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