MyMiniAuction

Hatchling

Buy it now for $950.00.

Ramiro Pena transformed one of 65 gable-style "honor vend racks" donated by publisher Jim Fox.  Ramiro succeeded in his objective to create an eye-catching and whimsical Library-Junction. He accomplished this by converting this plastic structure into a huge bright-eyed yellow chick.

Catalogue Number: 7

Time remaining: Expired

La Alegria

Buy it now for $1,170.00.

Yovanna Alvear accepted the challenge of creating the Porterville Library-Junction Initiative's first "dual immersion" themed Showpiece Library-Junction.  Therefore hers is now also considered a "Juncion Bibliotequita".  Yovanna's "canvas" was one of five wooden, bi-level, double-wide, two-door behemoths constructed by industrial arts teacher Tim Newby's senior cabinetmakers at Monache High School (a pathway of the Porterville Unified School District's Manufacturing and Construction Technology Academy.)

Yovanna named her Showpiece Library-Junction "La Alegria", which means "happiness".  One cannot help but be happy upon viewing it.  The front is framed with the message, "Reading takes you everywhere," along with colorful depictions of flowers and fish--labeled with their Spanish and English names.  The two side-panels remind visitors that International Book Day is April 23rd.  The obverse is decorated with a fanciful quote from a poem by famed Chilean poet Pablo Neruda.

Other folks contributed to 'La Alegria's' creation, too.  Yovanna's husband, Mauricio Moreno, topped "La Alegria" off with its asphalt shingle roof.  And the structure, itself, was financed by the Iacona family of New York State, and retired educator, Janet Ecobiza Baker.

signed by the artist

Catalogue Number: 6

Time remaining: Expired

Google Earth

Buy it now for $1,050.00.

Jeanette Brewer employed an especially time-consuming technique in creating "Google Earth".  Artists refer to it as acrylic pour, and each side required three days to dry.  As it materialized, Jeanette found that the results reminded her of satellite images of Earth.  She chose ‘Google Earth’ as this Showpiece Library-Junction’s title because she feels that--like a Google search--opening up a library and reading the books within, reward us with knowledge.

 The "canvas" for "Google Earth" is one of five plastic "honor vend racks" that Porterville resident Geane Lohse donated to the PLJ.  Jeanette has now transformed a total of three honor vend racks into Showpiece Library-Junctions.

signed by the artist

Catalogue Number: 4

Time remaining: Expired

Li-bee-ry

Buy it now for $1,350.00.

Veronica Rojas Slobodnik's signature object d'art is the honey bee.  Appropriately, this Showpiece Library-Junction showcases her affinity for this insect. On each side visitors will find one bee crawling across honeycomb.  The obverse is a colorful scene of five bees going to and from a hive full of books.  A blue bird studies useful words on a branch above.  The Sierra mountain range is visible in the background, while agricultural fields are in the fore.

The structure that Veronica beautified has a story, too.  One of the first curators of the Porterville Library-Junction Initiative wanted to do more.  Her code name is "Pickles" and, as implied, she wishes to stay anonymous. Pickles generously purchased a $260 pre-fabricated shed-style minature library from the phenomenon that inspired the PLJ Initiative:  Little Free Libraries.  

signed by the artist

Catalogue Number: 5

Time remaining: Expired

Chore Whore: Adventures of a Celebrity Personal Assistant

Buy it now for $50. 

Resident of Visalia, California Heather H. Howard has been a champion of the 100 Porterville Library-Junctions Initiative from early on.  She even deemed it "an initiative".  Heather's support for the PLJ continues now in the form the gift of her engaging novel, "Chore Whore: Adventures of a Celebrity Personal Assistant", which very entertainingly provides the reader with a look into her previous life as "a personal assistant to the stars". 

Signed by the author.  Published by Harper Collins Entertainment.

Catalogue Number: 8

Time remaining: Expired

Set of three books by Porterville author Michael Carley

Buy them now for $30.00

The author of this trio of books is one of the curators of the Porterville Library-Junction Iniitiative:  Michael Carley. 

His novel "Know My Name" follows the experience of an accountant who becomes isolated into his home not upon his volition--and the challenging results of this seclusion.  [This was in published in 2016, so it should be interesting to compare this story to the actual stories that would come a few years laters that document isolation caused by the COVID19 pandemic.]

"Diary of a Bad Husband: One Man's Journey as an Alzheimer's Caregiver, from Diagnosis to the Very End."  provides a window into Michael's experience caring for his wife, Beckie.  Michael is not alone in this type of situation.  His insights can bring solace to the many who share this challenge.

"People Like That" is a novella about the relationship between a father and his daughter.  It follows a chapter in the lives of Jake and Jess as Jess grows up here in the Central Valley of California.

Signed by the author.  Published by the author.

Catalogue Number: 9

Time remaining: Expired

-Remember Them; Recuerdalos.-

Buy it now for $1,250.

Painter: Linda "Che" Hinojosa Metal Fabricator: Dennis Pike

This "Showpiece Library-Junction" is crafted in steel by Dennis Pike and his team of metalsmiths in Rosarita, Baja California, and thoughtfully painted by Che Hinojosa, this is a celebration of color, texture, and pattern. 

Che's vibrant artwork includes many allusions to Hispanic culture. You'll see mariachis in memory of her friend's father.  Frieda Kahlo (unmistakable, even behind her mask) adorns one panel.  On the opposite facet, La Catarina memorializes Che's best friend, and Porterville Wall of Fame resident, Grace Munoz-Rios, who passed away March 31, 2021.  (Grace was a proponent of our Porterville Little Libraries Initiative.)  

Che also acknowledges the significance of the two ethnicities represented by Raymond and Patrick, the two firefighters who died in the fire that took our library away.  It is significant that these two men with different backgrounds died together as brothers attempting to save people within the burning library, people who also reflected our community's diversity.

Sneakers suspended from the eave of this Library-Junction represent barrio youth and their aspiration in pursuing higher education.  You'll see butterflies on two panels that represent youth "metamorphosing" and enacting change toward improving their lives. 

Three sets of wings represent Grace Munoz-Rios, Raymond, and Patrick.

So not only is Che's Library-Junction an homage to Raymond and Patrick, but it includes many details personal to Che that many of us can relate to.

This Library-Junction comes with the support structure, also made of iron.

The winning bidder can make the check out to Dennis Pike, and mail this in care of Sra Maraya Edward at Sante Fe Elementary 286 East Orange Avenue, Porterville, California  93257.  Maraya, Dennis' daughter, will then send 50% of the money to Che.  Dennis and Che will redirect this money toward creating more Porterville Library Junctions.

youtu.be/3Ug78pwqUCY Click on the link for an animated view of this Portervillle Library-Junction with music that Che likes.   

Experience "Remember Them; Recuerdalos." in person across the street from Porterville, California's post office on Mill Street.

Catalogue Number: 1

Time remaining: Expired

-Dedication-

 Buy it now for $1,150.

 Painter: Jeanette Brewer  Woodworker: George Pilling

This "Showpiece Library-Junction" is handcrafted in wood by George Pilling.

Jeanette Brewer applied two different quilt patterns.  The "Jacob's Ladder" pattern on its roof represents "a safe place of protection, shelter, and food".  One side panel employs a "tumbling blocks" pattern as the background for a pair of old-fashioned fire-fighter boots.  It expresses that "it's time to go".

The opposite side features an image of an old-fashioned black, leather fire-fighter's helmet.  This represents fire-fighters of the past. Jeanette wants us to "Never forget their courage and sacrifice."

The obverse of "Dedication" is devoted to Raymond and Patrick.  The two stars represent these brave men.  Depicted are two firefighters, one carrying the other, masked and in modern gear.

The winning bidder can make the check out to the Porterville Art Association (PAA), and mail this to 151 North Main Street, Porterville, California  93257.  The PAA will split the proceeds with Weisenberger's Hardware where approved builders may acquire materials to build more  Porterville Library Junctions.

Experience "Dedication" in person at the Porterville Art Gallery, at 151 North Main Street.  (Hours: 10 am to 4 pm, Wednesday through Saturday)

See more of Jeanette's artistry at jeanettesartgallery.com 

Catalogue Number: 2

Time remaining: Expired

-Endangered-

Buy it now for $1,050.

Painter: Jeanette Brewer  Structure: repurposed "honor vend rack" made of plastic

This formally humble dispenser of real-estate pamphlets, donated by Geane Lohse, is now a glorious homage to endangered animals.  

Using her wonderful talent, Jeanette has made this modest structure worthy of the brass plaque that pays tribute to Fire Captain Raymond Figueroa and Firefighter Patrick Jones.

These structures are designed to be close to pedestrian traffic.  They're lightweight, and have rounded corners. They are engineered to stay in place by setting ballast within.  We find that 14 tightly sealed two-liter bottles of water are ideal.  We envision this type of Library-Junction to be placed in the waiting rooms of pediatric offices, barbershops, and any place where people might enjoy a good book.

Viewed from above, you'll be looking through the surface of water at fish, one of which is viewing you.  This water spills off the back from the top where it becomes a waterfall for a beautiful macaw flying past. Below the parrot is a killer whale and jelly fish.

On the left panels, you'll find a studious giraffe enjoying a good book. On the opposite panel, you'll be charmed by a bird of the rainforest and two handsome zebras doing the same.

The plaque will be affixed to the translucent door, beneath which you will find a magnificent bull elephant.

The winning bidder can make the check out to the Porterville Art Association (PAA), and mail this to 151 North Main Street, Porterville, California  93257.  The PAA will split the proceeds with Weisenberger's Ace Hardware where approved builders may acquire materials to build more  Porterville Library-Junctions.

Experience "Endangered" in person at the Porterville Art Gallery, at 151 North Main Street. (Hours: 10 am to 4 pm, Wednesday through Saturday)

See more of Jeanette's artistry at jeanettesartgallery.com

Catalogue Number: 3

Time remaining: Expired