2018 Opening Night Auction Preview

Guests at our 2018 Opening Night Party on February 6 will get to bid on a treasure chest of unique live and silent auction experiences in support of the Arboretum. Here are descriptions of a few of the auction packages we’ve put together for the big night! Click on the links below to see our full catalogs.

Tour the Amazon Spheres

Enjoy an insider’s look at the new Amazon Spheres with Senior Manager of Horticultural Services at Amazon, Ron Gagliardo. Opening in January 2018, these futuristic, glass domes will be home to 40,000 plants from the cloud forest regions of over 30 countries. Hear the story about the Spheres’ incredible flora and design, and why they are the talk of the town. Lunch included; tour is for 4 people.

Generously donated by Ron Gagliardo | Value: $2,000

Mauro Golmarvi Dinner

Experience an unforgettable night with celebrated Executive Chef Mauro Golmarvi, owner of Seattle’s Assaggio Ristorante—recipient of numerous awards, including the coveted Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Mauro will create a special menu—paired with wine—reflecting his passion for simple, honest, and fresh Italian cuisine. It’s sure to be an extraordinary evening. Open to the first 20 couples who sign up!

Sunday, September 9. Generously donated by Mauro Golmarvi | Value: $500 per couple

Farmhouse in Tuscany 

Spend a week in a beautifully restored farmhouse in Anghiari, on the edge of Tuscany. Casa Vecchia is perched on a prominent hill overlooking a beautiful valley with layers of morning mist that burn off as the day progresses. It’s conveniently located for easy day trips to Florence, Siena, the Chianti area, Cortona, Arezzo, Assisi, and many other wonderful places of interest, not to mention some high-end designer outlet shopping. Includes 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a swimming pool, and WiFi. Plus a $2,000 plane ticket voucher to get you there.

Generously donated by Doug and Noriko Palmer | Value: $8,000

A Private Evening Home Concert for 10, with Jacqui Naylor and Art Khu

Invite your friends to a private residence for a special performance by jazz vocalist Jacqui Naylor and pianist Art Khu. Jacqui’s “acoustic smashing” of the great American songbook with the classic rock-and-roll songbook brings both forms to life in a way never heard before. Enjoy food, drink, and Jacqui’s quiet and intimate take on jazz standards, pop classics, and new originals.

Concert generously donated by Jacqui Naylor and Art Khu; venue generously donated by Carol and John Hoerster | Value: $4000

Walking Tour for 10 of Broadmoor Gardens, with Ciscoe Morris

How would you like to stroll around Broadmoor with the Pacific Northwest’s preeminent gardening guru, Ciscoe Morris, as your guide? Oh la la! Jason Morse of AHBL will also be on hand to discuss some of the gardens he has created at Broadmoor. You and your friends will tour the gardens of several homes, then stop at one home for lunch, while Ciscoe answers all your gardening questions.

Generously donated by Ciscoe Morris, Joan Affleck-Smith, and Broadmoor residents | Value: $1,200

Metalworking Studio Class and Side Table

Create your own piece of garden art with construction guidance by Sean Carleton in his Bothell studio. Together you will cut, layout, and assemble a unique piece of art for your garden, incorporating glass elements or found objects if you wish. Sean will share metalworking techniques and general information about his craft and how objects are planned and created! Package includes a stunning wood-and-metalwork side table created by Sean and designed to display a hanging terrarium.

Generously donated by Sean Carleton, Carleton Fine Work | Value: $3,100

Key Arena Suite for Stars On Ice

What better way to enjoy the glamour and grace of Stars On Ice this May than in your own private suite for 16 people at Key Arena? Stars On Ice brings together a cast of our country’s most exciting and decorated skaters for the 2018 tour! U.S. National Champion Nathan Chen will be joined by three-time National Champion and 2016 World Silver Medalist Ashley Wagner, two-time Ice Dance National Champions and three-time World medalists Maia and Alex Shibutani, 2017 U.S. Ladies Champion Karen Chen, as well as National Champion, and huge crowd favorite, Jason Brown.

Saturday, May 19, 7:30 p.m. | Value: $1,000

All-Seasons Outdoor Adventure

In the winter, enjoy one night’s lodging and complimentary breakfast for two guests at the Mount Rainier National Park Inn! This certificate also includes complimentary snowshoe rental for two guests for one day. Then, in the summer, get out on the water with a kayaking pass from Northwest Outdoor Center.

Value: $299