ARTS COUNCIL OF BIG SKY
On Thursday, March 23, join the local community for a night of art, food and fun to support the Arts Council of Big Sky. The fifth annual Auction for the Arts will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at Moonlight Lodge.
In addition to a live auction featuring 19 well-known artists, the event includes a silent auction with original, one-of-a-kind pieces from local and regional artists. “We have impressive silent auction items,” said silent auction coordinator Katie Alvin. “We have great paintings, ceramics and sculptures, and beautiful hand-made jewelry. There’s something for everyone.”
Among the many intriguing pieces in the silent auction is the sterling silver “Double Mountain Ram Skull Belt Buckle,” designed by Ellie Thompson of Polaris, Montana, and Chicago.
Another new participant is glass artist Tad Bradley of Bozeman, whose piece consists of 482 individual pieces of glass fused into a unique wall panel. Bradley is an early supporter of the Arts Council’s ARTventure program. He hosted groups of Lone Peak High School students in his studio this year and last to explore his career and complete hands-on fusion glass projects.
Paintings in the silent auction range from abstract to contemporary, impasto to mixed media collage, wildlife to landscapes. “We have a little bit of everything,” Alvin said.
The evening’s festivities begin with a “Quick Finish” event, in which invited artists will complete paintings or sculptures while talking and interacting with guests. The finished pieces will be sold in a live auction conducted by art auctioneer Troy Black. The evening concludes with the closing of the silent auction.
Linda Goldinger, art auction committee chair, said the event is the Arts Council’s primary fundraiser. “The Auction for the Arts has been attracting art enthusiasts for five years,” she said. “It’s a chance to acquire some great and rare artwork, while supporting the Arts Council and the arts throughout Big Sky.
“The Arts Council, once known primarily for the summer concert series, has broadened its focus to public art, art education, film, theater, dance and more. This year, we’d like to surpass the monies raised in previous years, to help fund all these initiatives,” Goldinger said.
Auction tickets are available for purchase, including VIP tickets that include a March 22 reception for artist Kevin Red Star and lunch with the artists on March 23. For more information on the event, including information about participating artists, or to purchase tickets, visit bigskyarts.org or call the Arts Council at (406) 995-2742.
