Newtown Forest Association Finds $16,000 Windfall

A watercolor discovered by Jack DeStories of Fairfield Auction among a collection of mostly decorative paintings brought $16,000 for Newtown Forest Association (NFA) when it sold at auction on May 1.

The painting was discovered found in the former Josephine Holcombe residence in Newtown. The Holcombes donated 163 acres to NFA including what is now known as Holcombe Hill, the highest point in Newtown.

The watercolor, by Armin Hansen, depicts a boatyard in Monterey. Hansen’s paintings are among the most sought after of the California regionalists and the appearance of this work brought the attention of several important California dealers and collectors.

NFA is the oldest private land trust organization in Connecticut. It is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It operates completely independent of the Town of Newtown and is governed by an all-volunteer board of directors.

Over 1,000 acres of land in Newtown are currently protected by the land trust and open to the public for hiking, biking and bird watching. Visit www.NewtownForestAssociation.org for more information about the group, including its new series of monthly hikes in Newtown that will explore different parcels of NFA land.

Fairfield Auction of Newtown did not charge commission on the sale.

“We are happy to help out worthy causes like the NFA who help keep Newtown a great place to live,” said Mr DeStories.

The auction gallery is at 53 Church Hill Road in Newtown. Fairfield Auction will host its next auction on June 25.

For further information call 364-1555 or visit          www.FairfieldAuction.com.