An art auction will take place at the Pence Art Gallery in downtown Davis at 212 D St., beginning on Tuesday Aug. 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. A month-long exhibition of artwork by selected artists will continue until the night of Sept. 19, where a gala event will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. with silent and live bidding, live music and food from local venues.
The event, directed by a board of trustees and volunteers for over 20 years, will offer first-time and experienced buyers over 90 pieces of artwork that showcase about 80 artists from the area. Works featured include ceramics, fabric fiber, sculpture and mosaics, as well as oil and acrylic paintings by artists such as Mel Smothe, T.S. Post, Melissa Chandon and UC Davis art professor David Hollowell.
“The auction started as a fundraiser for the Pence Art Gallery in order to acquaint patrons with various local artists in the area while raising money to keep the gallery open,” said Eileen Hendren, Assistant Director of the Pence gallery. “The gallery contains a whole plethora of pieces with all types of artwork that not only showcases up and coming artists, but established artists as well.”
The Pence Art Gallery – a non-profit and community-owned educational gallery – will use its proceeds to give back to the participating artists. Funds will also support art education and exhibit programs for young students in the community.
“There is a wealth of talent in Davis, and the gala is an exciting opportunity for art appreciators to buy and meet the local artists” said Clyde Bowman, artist and member of the event’s board of directors. “Because it is an auction, the prices that the pieces go for are a lot cheaper than its full value. You are able to purchase great art at great prices, support the gallery and get connected with the artists at the same time.”
The auction will be divided into three galleries, offering food catered by Dos Coyotes, Ciocolat, Aioli’s, Stones and wine from the Davis Wine Company. The MacDaniel Jazz Trio is scheduled to perform.
“My wife and I have been members of the Pence for years and have attended the gala to support the gallery,” said Jay Gerber, local business owner and long time art collector. “The gala is just a way for people like us to acquire some pieces from Chris Kidd, Jay Pishotti and Daniel Gahuli.”
In case you are unable to attend the gala event on Sept. 19, the Pence Art Gallery will continue to allow community members to bid on pieces. Tickets for the gala event cost $25 for Pence members and $35 for non-members. To purchase tickets, visit pencegallery.org.
KAREN SONG can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.
