Art fans aim to cut loose

By KJERSTEN OLSGAARD

The Billings Outpost

After constantly hearing about the major financial blows this past year and a half has brought, who isn’t ready for a party, an excuse to dance forward?

This, the fact that it’s the 42nd year and the economic parallels between now and 1942 inspired the party theme of 1942 Hollywood for this year’s annual Art Auction at the Yellowstone Art Museum, which takes place this Saturday at the YAM starting at 5:30 p.m.

The Art Auction is the YAM’s largest fund-raiser. With cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and catering by Bin 119, the event consists of a “quick draw,” in which participating artists create their art on the spot. This work as well as the live auction pieces will be auctioned off to the highest bidders. A silent auction will also take place in the basement galleries.

Up from last year’s goal, the museum hopes to net around $100,000 to $115,000 from this year’s event, said Kimberly Sapone, the YAM’s new development director. The money raised from this occasion will be used for operating expenses and educational programs.

“A lot of people are under the misconception that we are funded by tax dollars, which is not the case,” said Sapone. “Over 90 percent of our funding comes from grants, donations and things like this.”

Sapone also believes that people think the museum is financially fine because of the new construction project for the “Visible Vault” that is taking place. But that money was earmarked years ago for the building project and is, therefore, untouchable.

“So we still need to do things like this to continue to pay the daily bills and keep the lights on and the doors open,” Sapone said.

This year, the museum received a record number of submissions of artwork for the Art Auction, with more than 600 artists presenting, on average, about four pieces each. A panel of jurors narrowed the featured artwork to about 200 pieces.

“We tried to keep the focus in line with our mission, in that we serve and exhibit art with a focus on Montana and the surrounding region,” said Sapone. “You will find that the majority of the artists in the show are from Montana or right from within our immediate region. I can probably count on one hand the number of artists that are outside of our area. And even those artists have ties to Montana.”

The artwork, artists and prices are wide ranging. Various types and styles of paintings, photography, pottery, jewelry, mixed media, other three-dimensional pieces and more fill the downstairs and upstairs galleries. Some of the artists are quite accomplished and well recognized, while others are just emerging. Prices of the featured work span from $90 to $10,000 and everything in between.

Generally, artists donate their work in part to the YAM. However, five artists have donated in full to the live auction and more than 20 to the silent auction. Because of the economic crunch, the YAM has suffered funding cuts – many of which were redirected toward humanitarian efforts – and now operates with roughly half the staff it should, said Sapone. Yet she remains optimistic, believing that “things are starting to turn around.”

This is evident in the record high ticket sales, even a week before the event. In addition, the museum budgeted $4,000 for year-end giving in 2009 but received $50,000.

“I think we’re fortunate in that right now I think people are tired of hearing about the economy and how depressing it is,” said Sapone. “People are ready to start doing things.”

This year’s Art Auction sponsors include Oakland Co.; Sanctuary Spa; Galusha, Higgins & Galusha; Stillwater Mine; Intermountain Distributing; A&E Architects; Crowley, Fleck P.L.L.P.; and Montague’s Jewelers.

Tickets for the event are $89, down from last year’s price of $135. To purchase tickets or for more information, contact the YAM by calling 256-6804 or visiting www.artmuseum.org.