Gift of Art: Silent Auction at Josephy Center

The Josephy Center for Arts and Culture will be hosting it’s second annual Gift of Art event on Thursday, December 3 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30. The silent auction begins at 7 p.m. and includes works by local artists, high school students, and art collectors who have donated art to sell.  Director Cheryl Coughlan explains how the evening works, “the Josephy Center provides affordable art for gifting or collecting. Last year was a hoot, people were running around trying to outbid other people for their favorite pieces…Many people gifted their purchases to friends and family while supporting our fundraiser.”

Fifty percent of the proceeds go to the artists and the other half goes towards our Youth Art Program. The raised help us cover art supplies, scholarships and instruction costs.

At the end of the evening, people leave with the artwork they purchased. All artwork that doesn’t sell will be for sale for $50 each through to December 24, but as each piece is sold, people can take the artwork home.
Artists and artwork donated include Don Grey, Eve Slinker, Whitney Freya, Mike Koloski, Jennifer Klimzsa, Jennifer Hawkins Connolly, Mellica McIntire, Leah Johnson, Cameron Scott, Keith Kirts, Jean Falbo, Janie Tippett, Ted Juve, Jakob Hasslacher and more.
 
Our Youth Art Program is one of our strongest and most vital programs at the Josephy Center. On Fridays, we offer four youth art classes. Many of the students are engaged in learning ceramics, drawing, and painting.  Two days a week, the Center hosts ceramic arts with the Alternative Education School. Mellica McIntire, the Josephy Center’s lead instructor states that the “the art program has grown from a few students taking art to a full weeks schedule of classes for kids and teens. Each student gets hands on attention and help and they are seeing the importance of creating things as a way of expression while learning. We recently introduced the pottery wheel, and hope to see more youth involved at the Center through art and ceramics.” 
 
The Youth Art Program will have artwork on display from December 15 to 18 in the main gallery with the Gift of Art. Please come in and take a look at what’s being created. The next session of Friday classes will begin on January 8. Sign up for classes online at www.josephy.org/classes.