Gathered in the beautiful community room at the Phyllis Siperstein Tamarisk Assisted Living Residence in Warwick on May 23 were the Cranston based collectibles experts Kevin Bruneau and Travis Landry, of Bruneau and Co. Auctioneers.

They were invited for a different sort of evening on May 23, one of networking and delving into the world of fine art, antiques and collectibles. A spread of food prepared by Tamarisk was enjoyed while Kevin and Travis made a presentation about the world of appraisals and auctions.

Partnered with N2 Publishing's Rhode Island magazines, the evening offered the opportunity for anyone to come in with their treasured items to have an informal appraisal.

Large wrapped framings were toted in, along with manila envelopes filled with surprises and some especially nice children's books made of cloth, called chap books. There was a large ceramic planter and stand, and a collection of signed prints of U.S. Air Force bomber planes.

In the end, many Bruneau & Co. business cards were given out, as after listening to Kevin and Travis talk about what makes something valuable and what doesn't, you could see the wheels spinning; surely people would be calling with other items back home that they had no idea might be valuable – until now.