Blown Glass Egg Fundraiser: Art, Community, and Giving Back

Cedar Creek Gallery, a haven for fine American craft, is once again hosting its beloved Blown Glass Egg Fundraiser to support the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. This annual event blends artistic craftsmanship with generosity, offering participants a chance to own a one-of-a-kind handblown glass egg while helping provide meals for families in need.

A Tradition of Art and Generosity

Every year, Lisa Oakley, the second-generation owner of Cedar Creek Gallery, creates a limited collection of 55 signed and dated glass eggs exclusively to raise money for the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC. These stunning eggs are never available for purchase—raffle tickets and auction bids are the only ways to acquire one.

55 eggs, 55 owners!  

Lisa began making glass eggs in 1995 and continues this tradition to give back to the community, recognizing the importance of food security. This fundraiser has become a meaningful event, uniting art lovers and philanthropists to support a vital cause.

How to Participate

There are two ways to enter the fundraiser and get a chance to win one of these exquisite glass eggs:

1. Raffle Tickets: Purchase Online or in the Gallery

• 100% of the proceeds go to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.
• Every $10 donation provides 50 meals to local families, children, and seniors.
• Ticket Pricing:
• 1 ticket for $10 – provides 30 meals
• 6 tickets for $50 – provides 150 meals
• 15 tickets for $100 – provides 300 meals

• Winners & Selection:
• Raffle winners will be drawn on Sunday, April 12.
• Each winner receives one glass egg. A maximum of two eggs per winner is allowed.
• Winners do not need to be present to win.
• Eggs can be picked up at Cedar Creek Gallery or shipped (at the winner’s expense).

Raffle ticket sales end on April 12 at 4 PM. 

• Tickets purchased on the website are electronic; participants will receive an email confirmation for electronic tickets purchased.
• Tickets purchased in the gallery receive a heartfelt, in-person  "Thank you!" for participating in this year's raffle.

2. Online Auction

For those who want to ensure they get a glass egg, an online auction will be held for the first five eggs. The highest bidders will get the first pick from the collection. More details about the auction are available here.

About the Glass Eggs

Each blown glass egg is a one-of-a-kind work of art, measuring between 4 and 6.5 inches tall. The designs and colors vary, making them unique collector’s items. The entire collection is on display at Cedar Creek Gallery and online for viewing before the drawing.

The Artist and Her Vision

Lisa Oakley has been blowing glass since 1994. Her passion for glassblowing and commitment to community service inspired this annual fundraiser. She acknowledges the dedication of Cedar Creek’s staff and fellow glassblowers—Lizzie Morantz, Mike Pope, and Harrison Harper—for helping create this year’s eggs.

Lisa deeply understands the reality of food insecurity and believes businesses should foster community connection, cooperation, and trust. Through this fundraiser, she hopes to make a tangible impact by supporting families in need.

Join the Cause

This event is more than just an opportunity to own a beautiful piece of art—it’s a way to give back and make a difference. By purchasing raffle tickets or bidding in the auction, you help transform art into meals for those in need.

Last year, together we raised $40,000 to provide 120,000 meals! Rising costs and cut programs have decreased the amount the Food Bank can stretch a dollar. With higher food prices and recent program cuts, a single dollar now creates only 3 meals—down from 5 in past years.

600,000 folks across 34 counties face food insecurity every month, which sometimes means having to make impossible choices between rent, medicine, and food.

Help us feed even more families this year and potentially win a beautiful, blown glass egg for Spring!