Nearly 150 pieces of artwork from established Connecticut artists will go home with new owners this weekend as part of the "Somewhat Off the Wall" art show in New Haven.
What sets this art gala apart from most is that for $100 you're guaranteed an original work of art, that you choose. The Arts Council of Greater New Haven's annual fundraising event starts out as an art exhibit in the lobby of a luxury New Haven apartment building.
But this Saturday the exhibit will be transformed into a sort of art raffle. The roughly 50 contributing artists working in painting, photography, jewelry, textiles, and more have each donated three works of art.
Executive Director Cindy Clair said it's a great opportunity for beginning art collectors. "One hundred dollars for an original work of art is a really good price point," she said. "These works, if they were sold at a gallery, would go for much more money."
Premium ticket holders get a list of the artwork, peruse the exhibit, and make note of their top ten to 20 favorites. When their number is drawn, they choose a piece of artwork and remove it from the wall or table.
The event dates back two decades. Show coordinator Winter Marshall said when they ?did it for 15 years as just photography, the event was called Off the Wall, because you would literally go and take your piece off the wall.
"In 2009," Marshall said, "when we changed over to mixed media, we said well, it's not really on the wall anymore, because there's gonna be sculpture and jewelry that's going to be on the table. We said, we'll call it Somewhat Off the Wall."?
Painter Anita Soos said she looks forward to this show from the perspective of both a participating artist and a lover of art. "An artist donates three pieces," she said, "but they get a ticket to the event, so they get a piece of art from another artist. It'?s not just giving your art away. They're actually giving back to the artist. The event itself is fun. You are on pins and needles. You've gone through everything in this building. You've written down 40 things you want to own, and one by one, they go away, because your bingo number didn't get called. By the time you get there, you'?re so excited?; which one do I want??"
Organizers say the event is a great starting off point for beginning art collectors. Somewhat Off the Wall will be held Saturday, September 20.
Jonathan McNicol contributed to this story.
