Associated artists planning unique auction
Art is subjective, so it’s possible that everyone who attends an upcoming art raffle will walk away with the top prize from the Butler Art Center.
Jen Spryn, treasurer of the Associated Artists of Butler County, spearheaded the Art of the Draw fundraiser event at the Butler Art Center after attending a similar raffle in Virginia. She said the group of artists will sell the same amount of tickets as the number of art donations the center receives, so everyone will leave the night with a new piece.
“Even though everybody is guaranteed a piece of art, there is sort of a suspense factor,” Spryn said, “because the faster your name is drawn, the faster you are to get one of the really best pieces.”
The group is accepting art donations through Aug. 26, which will be available for the taking at the raffle.
Any type of art is acceptable, she said, and the artists could receive awards based on how the raffle unfolds.
“Artists will get something from donating; we’re going to have a bio table for the artists who donated their work to promote the artists,” Spryn said. “So we can promote the art, the artists, the art center, everything and hopefully it’ll be a good fundraiser.”
On the night of the event, Butler Mayor Bob Dandoy will emcee and will call out ticket numbers, and each ticket holder will get to pick from the art up for grabs. Spryn said tickets are $50 each, but people can purchase additional tickets for $25 to increase the chances of their number being called. People will take home one piece of art per each $50 ticket they buy, according to Spryn.
There also will be raffle baskets up for grabs, which will have some other art-related prizes, and potentially some from baskets supplied by local businesses. Spryn herself is offering her services as a portrait artist as one of the raffle basket prizes.
Once the gallery locks in the art that will be auctioned, it will all be displayed online prior to the event. Additionally, the art will all be numbered the night of the event, so guests can keep their eyes on their favorite pick.
Spryn said she is excited to bring an event like this to Butler, because it not only helps put art in people’s homes, but it also will help support the Associated Artists of Butler County group and the Butler Art Center’s programs.
“I’m hoping it’s an annual fundraiser because it’s different from any other show in that the center is getting all the donations,” Spryn said. “In this case, the artists are donating it all, and it’s all going to the center. It’ll help keep the center going.”
For more info on the Art of the Draw, or to donate art to the art center, visit butlerartcenter.org.
