Auction raises thousands for Lawrence Arts Center

Art enthusiasts Saturday night helped the Lawrence Arts Center raise nearly $50,000 for its gallery program.

The 600-plus crowd that filled the lobby and overflowed from the mezzanine at the center’s new building, 940 N.H., topped any turnout for past auctions, center director Ann Evans said.

“It was this packed in the old building,” she said. “But there’s so much more room here.”

More than 175 artists donated paintings, sculptures, photography drawings and works in other media for sale both at Saturday’s live auction and a silent auction that began earlier in the week and ended Saturday.

By 11:15 p.m., the auction had raised about $47,000, with 10 to 13 pieces still on the block.

“It’s absolutely great,” Evans said. “The support from the artists with their generous gifts and the people who are here that’s what’s so wonderful.”

County to review Baldwin’s school plans

Plans for adding onto two elementary schools in the Baldwin school district will be up for approval Monday by Douglas County commissioners.

During their 9 a.m. meeting, commissioners will consider site plans for a new multipurpose room at Vinland School and a room for equipment storage at Marion Springs School.

Thursday is the deadline for contractors to submit bids for handling the construction jobs. The successful bidder will set a schedule for construction.

Also Monday, commissioners will:

Proclaim May Mental Health Month, and May 5-11 Suicide Prevention Week.

Discuss plans for buying personal computers for county offices.

KU sets final examinations

Kansas University has announced the following final exams:

Suzanne Buck, medicinal chemistry, “The Cryptophycins: Attempts to improve the total synthesis and biological evaluation of C3-Epi and C10 analogues of Cryptophycin-24,” noon Tuesday, 3059 Malott.

Kimberly Bostwick, ecology and evolutionary biology, “Phylogenetic analyses of the evolution of behavior, wing morphology and the kinematics of mechanical sound production in the neotropical manakins (aves: pipridae),” 4 p.m. Tuesday, 1005 Haworth.

Kristina Robson, molecular biosciences, “SLE-like autoimmunity production elicited by immunization with regions of RNAPI(S1) and analysis of alternative isoforms of RNAPI(S1),” 9 a.m. Friday, 442 Murphy.