As you yourself said, your problem is really that you seem to be by yourself, or at least, very little help. In my humble opinion, you really need to present your problems to the others who are involved or partially involved. YOU…CAN….NOT…DO…THIS…BY…YOURSELF!
Just remember....if you do it all by yourself...you will get all the credit...or all the blame.
In regards to the Art auction idea…from my experience, even that option needs 8 weeks plus to make it work. Besides, almost all of the art companies require you to use their auctioneer, plus, they frown real big on having other items besides THEIR art.
You can still pull this off and have a success, but I think it will depend on you getting 8-10 more highly motivated other volunteers to solicit local merchants for the items to sell.
Perhaps you should consider postponing the event for 4-8 weeks?
Are you just looking for art for your auction or am I misunderstanding your question.
We conducted an auction for about four years and it was tons of work but we always made 30,000-40,000.
We had the most success of getting donations from theaters and restaurants and small family owned businesses. Everybody goes after the big guys so I guess that is why these smaller businesses are a little more giving.
Help.... I am in panic mode I have an auction live/silent in 5 weeks.. I have a great place for the auction, auctioneer who volunteered to do the auction, wine tasting (donated by wine vendors), but the solicitation is very difficult 'cuz I am a mom of 3 little ones and no babysitters.. I have very little help on this. My question I'm wondering if any one has Used art auction organizations and work concurrently with my auctioneer etc...?? ANy ideas , moral support, ideas on regaining my sanity over the next 5 weeks. I have tried a lot of the national and local companies but this seems like a difficult time.