Auctioneer Dr. Peter Coccaro presided Nov. 19 as bidders competed for 10 pained ponies at a gala auction, the conclusion of a year-long charity fund-raiser organized by Potomac Artists In Touch.
The group raised $31,000 the pony auction and additional $3,500 in donations. The evening's highest bid came from Krystyna Litwin, who paid $6,000 for Turkish Delight, last pony sold.
Friends "roasted" the artists during a formal dinner before the bidding. Entertainment included a performance from opera singer Robin Wang.
PAINT plans to use most of the Ponymania proceeds for arts grants and other projects to promote the visual arts in Potomac. It will donate some of the money four other charities: Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department, Cure Autism Now, Community Ministry of Montgomery County and So Others Might Eat.
PAINT members will have an art show and sale at Behnke's in Potomac beginning at the end of January. Learn more at www.potomacartistsintouch.com.