Going once, going twice
U of O fine arts students organize original art auction
THIS THURSDAY, FEB. 11—for one night and one night only—the U of O’s Fine Arts 2010 graduating class are coming together to host an awesome art auction in support of their annual, end-of-year Grad Show event.
“The students decide what kind of event they want to host,” explains head of promotion for the art action and local artist Laura Kluska. “Every year we try to make it a little better and outdo ourselves.”
The auction, which will be held at Club SAW for the very first time this year, marks a busy, yet sad time for the students. Most program members will be going their separate ways after the end of the semester, making their efforts to create original works for the event a bittersweet challenge. The auction will showcase the talents of undergraduate and master’s students, as well as members of university faculty. The finished works are mostly smaller compositions such as prints, paintings, photographs, drawings, and small sculptures.
The latest in a slew of fundraisers that the students have been putting on since September, organizers are aiming to reach a wider audience with the auction.
“We’re trying to get as many people to come [as we can],” says Kluska. “We’re hoping to get more faculty members and parents, business owners, Club SAW regulars, and sponsors who have donated items to come and help us raise money.”
Money raised from the auction will go toward the end-of-year Grad Show, and the preservation of the visual arts building. It will also help provide the funds for paint and food, and pay for the catalogue of students’ work produced each year.
“We’re all pitching in,” says Kluska. “We’ve divided up the responsibilities and we’ve all decided to donate at least one piece of artwork, whether painting or sketch, take over SAW, and put everything up.”
On top of this, each year’s graduating class hopes to leave money behind for next year’s students. Last year, this surplus amounted to a whopping $4,000. But successful or not, both the end-of-year show and the auction provide a chance for the young artists’ works to be displayed and to teach them the process of self-promotion and fundraising.
“We’re in such a close-knit community—next year we’re all splitting up and may not have these connections, [or] the support,” Kluska says, with a hint of melancholy in her voice.
“Within the last couple of months, it’s hit me that I won’t be here next year,” explains Kluska. “It’s going to be really hard not having this family-type atmosphere where we can all help each other and give each other our support and opinion.”
The “uOttawa Student Art Auction Fundraiser” will be held Feb. 11 at Club SAW (67 Nicholas St.) from 7–11 p.m. Tickets are $4 individually or $10 for three. For more information or to see some of the art for sale check out uottawagradshow.com.
