Art will be displayed as usual around the Two Rivers Art Gallery on Saturday night as people mill about and enjoy a reception there. What's unusual about the event is, all the art will walk out the door with the patrons at the end.
Each year the gallery holds a live art auction to raise funds for their many operational functions. They collect art from some of Canada's best known artists and let the bidding begin. Managing director Peter Thompson said it is one of the events art lovers and gallery supporters look forward to each year.
"The auction is an import fundraiser for us for a couple of reasons," he said. "The money supports a range of progams and exhibitions, but the other is that it showcases the gallery itself. The space is often animated with school kids and lots of people who come to the programs, but many in the community aren't enrolled in our programs or their kids aren't school-aged anymore, so we want to get them inside too to see what they and their community have helped create."
And who doesn't love an auction? It's an occasion that puts some sport into the shopping process, and when art is on the line it also pushes taste buttons. Knowing this, Thompson has gotten Calgary auctioneer Doug Levis to be the master of ceremonies for the past five years due to his performance personality on top of his bidding skills.
The artists were also carefully selected. There is a lot to consider, said Thompson, when putting together the annual slate of paintings, etchings, photos, collages and other creative media that will be up for sale.
"Artists get asked by a whole range of good causes to donate their work to raise money for everything from healthcare to the environment to all kinds of good causes. We are very sensitive to the asks we make of artists."
The focus is put on artists with historic connection to the gallery - those who have exhibited there, sold their wares in the gift store, or formed some kind of supportive relationship. Artists who do donate their work (some give their pieces outright, some share a percentage of the final price) are not asked again the following year.
"We are always amazed by the generosity of artists from all across Canada. Despite the pressures so often placed on them, they consistently step up to support us with fantastic generosity."
There are 26 works in this year's auction, about the same as previous years. Thompson said the lessons from previous auctions were, 20 is too few and 30 is too many.
Also learned is the past is to have a mix of local and national artists on display. It gives a lot of pleasure to the organizers to arrange the local contingent each year, because the results prove just how parallel the talent level is on a Canadian scale.
"The national artists we approach are all highly regarded with a long career of exhibiting right across the country," said Thompson. "We have artists in our region who can stand right alongside them. They are simply that good. This year we have people like Jennifer Annais Pighin who is young, but already so accomplished. She was commissioned to do art for B.C. as part of Canada's representation at the Beijing Olympics. She is recognized here but well beyond our commnity. Another is George Lesniewicz who does such amazing work, delightful paintings, and we think more people should be looking at them. He is not nearly well known enough yet so we feel it important to showcase his talent."
The hopes are to raise about $8,000 through this auction, meaning the price ranges will fluctuate between a few hundred to a few thousand dollars each. The total array will appeal to almost every art shopper's budget and stylistic tastes.
Up until Saturday at noon, online bids can be made on the TRAG website (if the live bidding surpasses your online pledge you don't get the art and lose nothing; if the bidding stops before it reaches your pledged amount, you get the art and pay only the next $50 increment not your full total).
Telephone bidding during the live auction is also possible and has been done in the past. Thompson said this always adds a dramatic element the audience enjoys.
The art can be previewed now, free of charge, in the Rustad Gallery foyer area of the Two Rivers Art Gallery. Tickets to attend the auction and festivities are $25 each or $40 per pair.
