SV art auction features locals

The public has an opportunity to bid on artwork by famous local artists while benefiting a nonprofit arts organization.

The Steel Valley Arts Council will have its first silent art auction next month at artspace105 in Homestead.

“This collection of art on auction is one of the most impressive groups of work that reflect the region’s architecture, its ethos and characteristics,” SVAC vice president Eric Sloss said. “This will be a wonderful time to buy a great piece of art at an economical price.”

People will be able to bid on the artwork Dec. 4 from noon-2 p.m., Dec. 8 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and Dec. 11 from 7-9 p.m. at artspace105. Dec. 4 also will feature Steel Valley’s Christmas Parade. Bidders can bid in different increments by writing their name and phone number next to the piece they want. After the three days of bidding, winners will be announced Dec. 11. Those winners can pick up their artwork Dec. 11 and pay by Visa, Mastercard, checks or cash.

More than 45 art pieces of various mediums ranging in price from $50 to $1,000 will be up for bid. All the art reflects the region in some way, including paintings by Robert Qualters, signed and unsigned George Nama-copied sketchbook pages, wood cut prints by Walter Gasowski, the artist collective Society for Pennsylvania and Surrounding Area History, in addition to art by Paul Kolesar, Paula Bland, Anna Marie Sninsky and Roslyn Stulga.

“Nama’s sketchbook prints show row houses snuggled against the rolling hills of Western Pennsylvania,” Sloss said. “Qualters’ street light banners are of women making pirogues or of the onion domes on top of local churches, and Paula Bland’s cubist-like paintings reflect the effort and labor of the area’s steel mills.”

SVAC, which is a nonprofit arts organization serving the areas of Homestead, Munhall and West Homestead, has been promoting the arts for nearly two decades.

“During that time, artwork has been donated to us,” Sloss said. “We thought it would be good to give back to the community. This also gives us the opportunity to put money towards our operating expenses to sustain our work in the valley.”

He said the SVAC board came up with the silent art auction idea.

Artspace105 is located next to the Homestead Grays Bridge at 105 E. Eighth Ave. On-street parking is available on Seventh and Eighth avenues. More samples of the artwork to be auctioned off can be found at www.steelvalleyarts.org/auction.htm.

By Stacy Lee, MCKEESPORT DAILY NEWS
Monday, November 29, 2010