Art auction to benefit kids’ programs

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This article was published 27/04/2015 (4031 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Art and artists will be front and centre at the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba’s 28th annual Art Auction and Dinner, which will take place the evening of Thursday, May 7, at the Victoria Inn.

The dinner and auction continues the tradition of helping to build regional art collections while supporting the AGSM’s children’s educational programs. The children’s program sees more than 1,000 young artists take part in classes every year.

Unlike the traditional themed evenings of the previous years, the organizing committee has chosen to focus on the art, the core of everything that the AGSM does. In addition to live jazz by the Teegan Walker Quartet, door prizes, and the live and silent auctions, dinner guests will be treated to some of the enchanting pieces created in the AGSM’s children’s art studio. At the end of the evening, each guest will walk away with a special edition card featuring these works, alongside a message written by the AGSM’s young artists especially for the occasion.

“For new buyers, this is a perfect opportunity to begin building a collection of works by some of the region’s most well-known artists, such as Curt Shoultz, Fay Jelly, Kevin Conlin, Shirley Brown, Brian Milne, and many others — all while meeting fellow art lovers. I am absolutely thrilled to see so much incredible art in the auction this year,” says Natalia Lebedinskaia, the curator of contemporary art at the AGSM.

This annual fundraiser would not be possible without the generosity of artists from throughout the province who donate their art to support the AGSM. As local collections continue to grow, the AGSM created the silent auction of smaller works which are often a better fit for new art buyers.

Some of the highlights of the silent auction this year include stunning pieces by Susanne DePlooy and Doug Derksen, and a pyrography (wood burning) drawing by Jaimie Cousins, whose “Lord of the Rings” map was featured on the front page of the Brandon Sun.

Meanwhile, the live auction continues to focus on larger pieces that are sure to spark bidding wars between eager collectors, including two paintings by Riel Benn, and a ceramic piece by Kevin Conlin.

Peter Morin, performance artist and professor at the visual and aboriginal arts department at Brandon University, will be the MC for the evening and will introduce each piece at the live auction before bidding begins.

Sponsors for this year’s event include some of Brandon’s most generous businesses: Community Futures Westman, D&B Sprinklers, Lasting Image, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, Assiniboine Community College, Brandon University, Budget Blinds, J&R Excavating, Prairie Lane Auctions, Remington’s Seafood and Steak, Roy Johnston TDS, Total Eye Care, BDO, Blinds by Anita, Brandon Business Interiors, Keystone Dental Centre, Kuipers Family Bakery, Medical Centre Pharmacy, MNP, New System Store, Westoba Credit Union and Zeke’s Jewelers.

More information and a preview of some of the pieces in the auction are available on the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba’s website, agsm.ca, and tickets for the event can be purchased by calling 204-727-1036 or emailing info@agsm.ca. Tickets are also available by visiting the AGSM at 710 Rosser Ave., which can be accessed either from The Town Centre parkade (parking is free when you visit the AGSM!), or from the first floor of The Town Centre mall through the elevators near the Brandon Public Library. The gallery hours are Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Thursday evenings until 9 p.m., Saturdays from 12 p.m.-5 p.m., and closed on Sundays and Mondays.

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