Thursday, April 9, 2015

The Fun of a Live Art Auction at USC Columbia SC

Coffee Series II
by 
Jean Bourque

USC held it's first art auction as 
The School of Visual Arts and Design
last night at the 
McMaster Gallery

Although, it was the first for the newly titled School of Visual Arts and Design, it was the 60th art auction held at USC's McMaster Gallery. Approximately 60 pieces were up for auction and all were sold by 930 pm. There were pieces from renowned artists such as Mana Hewitt, Virginia Scotchie, Mary Robinson, Steven Hewitt and Shannon Lindsey as well as pieces from alumni like Tommie Toner and students like myself and many others. I volunteered for the auction and had a great time. I saw people that I hadn't seen in a while like the wonderful Sylvia Ady Potts, with whom I had been in art shows with in the past. 

Three auctioneers took their turn at the microphone and you could feel the excitement in the air. There were many lovely works of pottery, ceramic, lots of paintings and a few wood works. 
It was fun seeing how the bidding would go from one person to another and back again, and every now and then some one would suddenly bid out of no where. It kept it very interesting.

I was fortunate enough to meet the buyers of my artwork and they were genuinely pleased with their purchase. That is what it's all about, knowing someone loves your art. Plus, since this was a fundraiser for USC's gallery and for the scholarship fund, it was a fun way to give back to the school that I have been enjoying all year and plan to enjoy for many years to come. It was also very educational as I got to see work by many faculty members and get a feel for what they do. 

Robert Lyon submitted Last Vessel at USC #1 and #2 both created in a wood turning process. The titles given reflect that Mr Lyon will be leaving USC after 18 years. He will truly be missed. I was looking forward to having one of his classes. Had I know he would be leaving, I would have taken the class this year!

The highest selling pieces were by Mana Hewitt and another high seller was by Rob Shaw. 
Mana's piece was a landscape so smooth and shiny and perfectly presented; it felt real. Rob's piece was an impressionistic landscape of the Gervais St bridge, beautifully rendered, in lively colors and thick impasto style paint. 

It was fun. I look forward to volunteering next year and perhaps even making a purchase. 

Yours Truly,
Jeanee


Monday, April 6, 2015

USC Art Auction at McMaster Wednesday evening April 8th

USC PRESENTS ..... 

Art Auction at McMaster Gallery c/o Pickens and Senate St. Columbia SC. There will be 60 works of art being auctioned off.
Art has been created by students, alumni, and faculty. 

There will  be a large selections of work which have been juried in for this event. There are paintings, drawings, prints, pottery and sculpture. Get here early and get your bid in for some wonderful art for your home or office. 

April 8th, 2015 at McMaster Gallery from 630-930PM
A percentage of the sales goes to the Art departments scholarship fund. Show your support for USC and for the artists and attend our event.

Thank you,
Jeanee

USC CICA Music & Art at Conundrum April 18th, 3-6PM

CICA PRESENTS….

CICA​ (Collaborations in Contemporary Art) is a group of USC music students, mostly graduate and PhD candidates, that are seeking to bring music and art communities together in a local live music venue. The place is Conundrum Music Hall on Meeting Street, West Columbia, SC. 

The event is Saturday April 18th from 3-6. Try to arrive early in the celebration so you don't miss some of the awesome musical happenings in this diverse and exciting presentation! Spread the word, and invite your friends! Tickets are at the door: $4 for students; $6 general admission. 

Opportunity for Sketching Artists: 
Use live musicians as inspiration!  Talk with musicians throughout the event who are interested in your talents!  Artists and musicians networking opportunity, all sketch artists over 18 years old are invited, including students, faculty and local artists.
  
Any artist interested in sketching, please send your name, address and contact info to Jean Bourque at jbourque@email.sc.edu and plan to be at Conundrum Sat. April 18th. If you are not interested in sketching but would like to attend, please feel free to do so.  Deadline to sign up is midnight Wednesday April 15th.


Contact:​
jbourque@email.sc.edu
​http://artsails1.blogspot.com