An Andrew Clemons piece of sand artwork has been part of the Sutherland Library displays for longer than anyone is aware. Only recently was its value learned. Andrew Clemons was an Iowa sand artist. He is credited with inventing and perfecting sand bottle art in the late 19th Century. His medium was to create images using naturally color rock sand in bottles and sealing it with wax. Library Board President Cheryl Drefke reported to the city council that the item is stored in the local bank vault after it earned an assessed value of between $40,000 and $70,000. The board determined that such a valuable piece was impracticle for the Sutherland Library to display and began searching methods to sell it for its full value. Bonhams Auction House of New York was selected to auction the item. The terms of the contract were shared with council including fees and the reserve amount. She and Library Director Nancy Hill explained how Bonhams will come to Sutherland, package the bottle and take it to New York for the auction. A brief discussion of how any potential money would be placed in long term savings with the intent to go toward an elevator at the library. Council fully supported the plan.
The bottle was collected by Bonham’s on Monday March 9 from the library. Careful packaging of the artwork was done and the driver commented, “This is the last pick up,” between Iowa and New York. “There is no room in the truck. This will sit on the seat beside me.”