On his way to the Event Center

We’re getting ready to haul auction items down to the Event Center. Kiley has come up with an interesting method for transporting the glass. Kids don’t try this at home…

The Auction is Coming, The Auction is Coming!

If those of us who work at the Schack seem a little stressed, tired, or dazed right now it’s because the AUCTION IS COMING!

The 30th Annual H’Arts Benefit Auction is this Saturday, February 25th.  You’ll have to forgive us if we take a few days to respond to your email this week, but our minds might be elsewhere.

I asked Judy, our ED, what I should photograph to convey the craziness that is the Auction and she said, “my brain.” Well, that probably won’t work, so here are some of the 300 pieces of artwork and boxes of supplies we’ll be hauling down to the Everett Events Center on Friday.Of course everything has to be checked, numbered, and packed before we head out.

It is a great evening that raises a lot of money for our programs and operations, but I think we’ll all be happy to put our feet up on Sunday (and watch the Academy Awards).

Candy Without the Calories

Here’s some candy that’s easy on the eyes and the thighs!

Just in time for Valentine’s Day (it’s just around the corner), glass artist Dehanna Jones has created this fabulous window display for the Schack Shop.

And, the tubes are filled with red confetti that blows around with the flip of a switch.

Need a Cover for your FB page? We’ve Got you Covered..

You may or may not have noticed that Facebook recently changed things around again by creating the time line. You know the history of your life according to facebook?

Anyway, if you need a snazzy picture to fill the giant space at the top of your new profile, er….I mean time line, here are some lovely images complements of the Schack.

Enjoy! And let us know if you have any suggestions for other covers.

Common Question about Donating to H’Arts

As the H’Arts artist reception approaches this Thursday (weather permitting) it made me think about the common questions artists ask related to the event and donations. (I have also come to realize that my mind will forever think hearts is spelled harts, which could be an issue around Valentine’s day).

I figured putting this down on “paper” might be helpful for some of you contemplating a donation. (BTW – If you want to be juried for the live auction, be sure to submit you donation by Sunday 1/22/12.)

1. What is H’Arts? H’Arts is the Schack Art Center’s (formerly Arts Council of Snohomish County) annual auction to raise money for our programs and services. It is our largest fundraiser of the year and raised a significant portion of our operating budget. Remember, we are an admission free facility!
2. What kind of donations to you accept? We accept all forms of art (glass, pottery, paintings, collage, jewelry, fiber, etc…), as well as gift certificates, gift baskets and other merchandise from businesses. But, we primarily procure artwork.
3. Is all artwork juried? YES! We jury both live and silent items. If you want to be considered for the live auction we must have the actual piece or at least a photo to jury from by SUNDAY, January 22nd. BUT, we do also jury for the silent auction. Most artists assume that if they don’t make the live they will automatically be in the silent, NOT TRUE. Because, we need so many more donations for the silent we extend our deadline for those submissions till mid-February, but we do evaluate each piece to determine if the size and quality is appropriate for our silent auctions.
4. Can I come to the auction? Artists who donate a piece valued at $500 or more may request a complimentary ticket to the event. We only have 30 or so to give away, so it is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Of course, anyone may purchase a ticket to the event. Tickets are $85 per person.
5. What do I receive for donating? You can choose to receive a 25% commission on the selling price of your artwork that evening, plus you will be listed as a donating artist in the program, event signage, and online. But you’ll also get the the positive feeling of knowing you’re helping support Schack programs like our student fieldtrips, Scholastic Art Awards, and Art Alternatives for Youth at Risk. Plus you’re helping keep us an admission free facility for everyone. And, you can also choose to donate back the entire commission.
6. Are there any size limitations? Yes, please don’t submit over-sized artwork. Keeping things under 3 feet by 4 feet is better for you and us. Small to medium sized pieces just do better at the auction, selling closer to value. It’s hard for bidders to figure out where they would put a large painting or sculpture. And, if they can’t imagine a place in their home they won’t raise their bid card.
7. Can I donate more than one item? Yes, but we reserve the right limit the number of donations, so we may not accept all of them.
8. What if I want to donate a piece by another artist? We do occasionally accept artwork from patrons or artists that was created by someone other than them. In these situations we do not offer a commission back on the artwork. We offer an artist commission to help offset costs for supplies and materials for the artist.
9. Does my piece need to be framed? Not necessarily, but it does help. Paintings and other 2D pieces have a much better chance of being accepted for the live auction if they are framed and they tend to do better in the silent auction as well. We realize framing is expensive, so we don’t require it. If we accept a piece for the live auction that is not framed we will deduct our cost for framing from the selling price before calculating the artist commission. Example: If a piece sells for $500, but we spent $100 on framing. We will figure out the artist commission based on $400 ($500 less $100).

Watch this Video about Students in PAIR project

On Sunday the Everett Herald published this story about students in the PAIR (Promising Artists in Recovery).

The online version includes a great video that includes the students sharing poems and stories from their perspective. Plus it includes footage from their glassblowing class at the Schack Art Center. Check it out!

New Year, New Exhibit

Tonight is the opening of Lanny Bergner: MESH and if you aren’t here right now make a point to come see his work before the show ends on February 23rd, because it is amazing.

Here are a few photos taken before and during the opening, but they really don’t do the work justice.

This is my personal favorite. I wish I could have it in my home going up the stairway, but that’s probably not going to happen.

For me it brought to mind a traveling and maps of the world, but for others it brought to mind genealogy, a solar system, or map of constellations.

Let us know what you think when you stop by. For more information on the exhibit and upcoming lecture by Lanny please visit our website.