“Native Dancer” by Becky Walker and “Face On The Water” by Mary Pat Hanley are two of the works up for bid at the Arts About Gala.
Any time 50 artists who could otherwise make money from their efforts decide to work for free, it’s reason to take notice.
Sept. 21 will bring pieces from a sizeable group of Upstate artists to the Arts Center in Clemson for a gala/auction to benefit the city’s non-profit art hub. The Arts About Gala is set to be the latest in a string of successes for the center.
For those of you not yet in the know, the Arts Center is a gallery/school/workshop/studio/meeting place for artists, and is better equipped to serve as such than most anything a town like, say, Greenville could offer.
“The response has definitely exceeded our expectations,” said Debbie Pagano, co-director of the Arts Center. “It’s been overwhelming – the summer school was bursting at the seams, and now some of the parents who had kids in it are taking adult classes.”
The continued success of the center relies on events like the Arts About Gala, which last year — when it was held at Club 356 prior to its doors opening — raised $11,000, and hopes are higher for this year.
Supporting the cause is a who’s who of the area’s art scene, and many notable names comprise the evening’s roster.
Upstate artist Jane West has provided a multimedia piece; Mike Vatalaro, the interim chair of Clemson University’s art department, donated a ceramic piece; CU professor Del Kimbler will have two framed photographs on the block; Anderson artist Deana Baker offered an oil painting; and Central political cartoonist and children’s author Kate Salley Palmer provided an illustration.
Patrons can also bid on a platinum cyanotype from famous photographer, professor and medi snob Sam Wang, who has long been a favorite of CU students.
Beyond just visual art, local author Ron Rash has promised to donate copies of his books, “I think the best thing for the Arts Center is that these artists come in here, see what we’re about and get excited and want to know ‘Do you have any other shows?’ or ‘Is there anything else I can do to help?’” Pagano said. “We’ve received a fabulous response from just about everybody who came through the doors.”
And what would a local auction be without Clemson football paraphernalia?
In the mix is an autographed football helmet and a day spent with a Clemson player. The auction might be the centerpiece of the evening, but count on live music, plenty of wine and beer and hors d’oeuvres. Also look for demonstrations of painting, pottery, jewelry and drawing.
And who else to emcee the evening but the woman who turns anchoring the news into high art, FOX Carolina’s Stephanie Maxwell?
The silent auction begins at 7 p.m. and will run about an hour and a half, at which point the live auction featuring 20 items begins. Only handicap parking is available outside the center and, with the neighbors in mind, parking along the street is prohibited by the city. Thus, make sure to leave enough time to catch the CAT Bus from the parking lot at the Clemson Center, located a quarter mile east of U.S. 123.
Tickets are $50 a piece or $90 for a pair, and available at the Riverhurst Shop, Main Street Deli in Central, Pendleton Coffee Company and Arts Company in Seneca.
