Hendersonville Launches Annual Bear Art Auction
The 24th annual Bearfootin' Art Walk features 20 hand-painted bear sculptures to support local nonprofit organizations.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Downtown Hendersonville organizers have debuted 20 unique ceramic bear sculptures for their annual art auction. The fundraiser supports local entities including Friends of Downtown Hendersonville.
Why it matters
The event serves as a significant fundraising mechanism for community nonprofits, with organizers aiming to collect over $100,000 to sustain local operations.
The event currently features 20 bear sculptures, with 5 having already been secured through $10,000 outright purchases. Each piece requires approximately 70 hours of labor to design, prime, and paint.
The players
Friends of Downtown Hendersonville
This is a local nonprofit organization that works to support the revitalization and economic health of the Hendersonville downtown district.
The details
Artists involved in the Bearfootin' Art Walk dedicate roughly 70 hours to complete each sculpture, which are currently displayed along Main Street. Interested buyers can participate in the auction starting at $1,500 or choose to pay the $10,000 outright purchase price.
Timeline
October 22, 2026, marks the conclusion of the online auction.
Market Landscape
This auction follows the established pattern of the Downtown Hendersonville Bearfootin' Art Walk annual series, which has leveraged local artistry for civic funding for over two decades. The project positions downtown cultural initiatives as a sustainable revenue model for area nonprofits.
Residents and visitors can view the sculptures on Main Street to support local artists and downtown businesses. Those looking to purchase a piece must act before the auction concludes to secure their preferred design.
The takeaway
Participating in local art auctions helps sustain the financial health of neighborhood nonprofits while promoting regional artists. Interested buyers should monitor the online bidding platform to ensure their contributions meet the organization's $100,000 fundraising target.
Further reading
Find more details on community initiatives in our Hendersonville Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WLOS.
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