SEQUIM — The historic Dungeness Schoolhouse, an iconic image in the Dungeness Valley for more than 100 years, is in need of some cosmetic work, say supporters.

The Museum & Arts Center is hosting a fundraising dinner and auction on Saturday to raise funds both to paint the schoolhouse and for museum operation.

The 2010 MAC Nite Dinner and Auction will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Sunland Golf and Country Club clubhouse, 109 Hilltop Drive, Sequim.

Painting the 1873 schoolhouse at 2781 Towne Road in Sequim is a project doesn’t come cheap.

Executive Director Katherine Vollenweider said that the Museum & Arts Center, which oversees the historic school house, has received one bid of $30,000, and that’s after Rodda Paint of Sequim volunteered to donate the paint needed.

“It’s the prep work that’s going to take time,” she said.

Before painting, the building’s exterior must be inspected for rot or damage, which must be repaired before painting can begin.

Vollenweider said it’s also expensive to hire a professional lift to reach the top of the tall building.

“It isn’t an afternoon volunteer type job,” she said.

The plan is to repaint the building in its original red and white Victorian-style paint scheme.

The auction and dinner also will help fund operation of the museum, which Vollenweider said is the only museum dedicated solely to keeping the history of the Sequim Dungeness Valley.

The dinner and auction is the museum’s largest fundraiser of the year.

Last year’s event raised $26,000.

Auction items

Saturday’s silent and live auctions boast a wide assortment of donated goods and services, including trips, art by local artists, cruises and a fishing trip.

Pilot and MAC board president Emily Westcott is offering to fly three passengers to Friday Harbor for lunch, while Jamestown S’Klallam storyteller Elaine Grinnell has donated a traditional salmon bake, with storytelling, for eight guests at her beach front home.

Jamestown S’Klallam master carver Dale Faulstich is offering a private tour for eight of his carving shed, followed by lunch at the Seven Cedars Casino’s Salish Room. Participants also will receive a signed copy of Faulstich’s book, Totem Poles of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe.

Wilder Auto is offering a week of car rental, which might come in handy for the ocean front condo stay in Ocean Shores, also on the auction block.

Vollenweider said the silent and live auctions will have items in a wide range of prices, for all budgets.

The dinner will be catered by Rainbow Catering and will feature Caesar salad, pecan encrusted salmon, boneless beef ribs with a red demi-glaze, asparagus, little red potatoes, cheesecake with berries and champagne.

Live music will be provided by local musician Jeremy Cays.

All private funds

The MAC receives no government funding, so all funds are raised privately.

“Most other museums [in Washington state], except those in Clallam County, receive support through a salaried position for one staff member, a building and help with utilities or technology,” Vollenweider said.

“It was an eye-opener to attend the Washington Museum Association [meeting] and find this out.”

The museum’s main mission is three-fold: conservation, exhibition and education.

It is particularly popular with school groups.

“We serve everyone,” Vollenweider said. “And everyone deserves the best we can deliver.”

The exhibit center at 175 W. Cedar St., in Sequim includes a mastodon exhibit and other cultural displays, local featured artists, historic photos, and the museum store.

In addition to the Dungeness Schoolhouse — which offers programs and classes, and is available for event rentals — the museum also has research facilities in the DeWitt Building at 544 N. Sequim Ave., and the Second Chance Consignment Shop at 155 W. Cedar St.

More than 100 volunteers work at the museum. Its collection has about 20,000 items, including historic photos, artifacts and documents.

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Features Editor Marcie Miller can be reached at 360-417-3550 or marcie.miller@peninsuladaily news.com.