A little playtime can make a world of difference. And for those who enjoy Miller-Dwan Foundation’s premiere fundraiser, ARTcetera, that was never truer. ARTcetera 2005 came with a twist. PLAYcetera. This trio of luxury playhouses fit for little kings and queens took center stage at the auction as the 2005 signature items. The Log Cabin, French Chateau, and Old-fashioned Firehouse captured the imagination of all who saw them, raising $50,000 for the hospice house.

Designed and built in Duluth using donations from generous local businesses, these little homes were sold to help support another kind of living environment: the region’s first Hospice House. This home will be the result of Miller-Dwan Foundation’s $3.7-million campaign for residential hospice care. It will be a place where people facing the end of life, and their loved ones, can receive the best possible care. It will be a place for physical, spiritual and emotional support as people journey to the end of life.

The History
Cameron Fryer brought an idea with him when he joined Diane Link as co-chair of ARTcetera 2005. He envisioned bringing together different segments of the community to build something that had not been seen in Duluth before: luxury playhouses. The idea became reality when Jerry Alander of Carpenters Local #361 agreed to build them in conjunction with their apprentice program. Local architect John Ivey Thomas designed three themed playhouses. Jerry Sundquist of Hermantown Lumber coordinated and supplied the building supplies needed for the endeavor. Supervised by Rick Berg and Keith Olafson, the Carpenters Local #361 apprentices and union volunteers put in long hours to construct them before they were ready to be painted by Craig Olson and the Painters and Allied Trades Local #106. Three local interior designers Mignon Fryer, Suzi Vandersteen, and Deb Wittmann looked far and wide to find the perfect accessories to grace their delightfully designed little dream houses.

The Result
Utilizing the skills of more than 75 people and taking over 2,000 work hours, the building and finishing process lasted nearly eight months. In September, the team revealed their masterpieces in a special preview opportunity at the Miller Hill Mall. During the entire month, PLAYcetera were on display in the courtyard in front of Barnes and Noble and Old Navy.

The playhouses were auctioned at ARTcetera on September 23, 2005.

Our Friends
This project was accomplished with major support from A & L Properties, Carpenters Local #361, Miller-Hill Mall, H.T. Klatzky and Associates, Painters and Allied Trades Local #106, Electrical Workers Local #242, Superior Publishing, Johnson Carpet One, Andren’s as well as assistance from our PLAYcetera friends: ACE Hardware, A.G. O’Brien, Contract Tile and Carpet, Johnson-Wilson Constructors, Katzmarek Ornamental Iron, Light Faire, Marvin Window, Masons Union, Northern Door and Hardware, St. Germain’s Casework, Service Printers, Joanie Schneider, and Walsch Company.

Past PLAYcetera Events:
PLAYcetera 2007
PLAYcetera 2006
PLAYcetera 2005