Big
Sky – On July 21, under the big tent at the PBR Events Arena the fourth annual
Big Sky Art Auction featured work from over 70 artists including world class
photographers such as David Yarrow, and painters and sculptors spanning a wide
array of styles from traditional to contemporary and everywhere in between.
The
fast-paced excitement of live auction brought art connoisseurs, second
homeowners and many of the featured artists to the unique outdoor venue for an
afternoon of aesthetic appreciation and acquisition.
“One
thing that I look forward to is growing a young auction alongside a stable of
new, fantastic up-and-coming artists ” said Gallery Director Courtney Collins.
“That’s what happened this year. Miles Glynn, photographers Guillaume and
Isabelle Beau de Lomenie, Robert Osborn, and Jeff Corwin all sold their pieces.
It’s super exciting.”
“It was a successful, beautiful auction. This year was 50 percent more profitable than last year’s event” said Colin Mathews, owner of Creighton Block Gallery. “This year’s auction had very high-quality art at reasonable price points. The challenge for us is to find a wide enough range of buyers for the variety of selections we had.”
“Eyes of the Wolf,” a photograph by award-winning nature photographer Thomas D. Mangelsen. OP PHOTO
R. Tom Gilleon, one of the most soughtafter Western artists working today, mingled with art lovers towards the back of the venue. “I’d say this piece is one of my best pieces to date. As an artist, if you’re not improving, you’re dead,” said Gilleon after his piece sold for the highest price of any piece in the auction.
The
auction also featured five local artists: Craig Krzycki, Kene Sperry, Lorri
Lagerbloom, Ryan Turner and Georgia Baker.
“It
was my first piece in a live auction. I thought the event went great. It went
incredibly well for myself,” said local photographer Ryan Turner, whose
submission went for nearly twice the asking price. “I’m super thankful to have
so many art lovers come together and support artists.”