SUMA hosts 25th annual art auction
By Emily Ronquillo
Celebrate the legacy, history and future of Southern Utah Museum of Art during the 25th annual art auction March 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. After years of support from Rusty’s Ranch House and Milt’s Stage Shop, the auction will be held for the first time at SUMA. The new location invites guests to mingle and enjoy artwork in the space they helped build and continue to support. SUMA’s galleries also allow for more guests to attend the event and creates the opportunity to truly showcase each artist’s work.
New this year, guests will have the opportunity to bid on different artistic experiences and workshops in addition to works of art in the silent auction. These packages will range from a private glass-fusion workshop with Carrie Trenholm to a guided hike through Zion National Park with Michael Plyler.
The evening’s festivities will begin at 5 p.m. with a social hour on the Sam and Diane Stewart Family Foundation Plaza just outside SUMA’s front doors with live music by Wilhelm, a local gypsy jazz band. Guests will be invited to enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres while perusing the artwork in the live auction before it begins at 6 p.m. The main gallery space will be transformed into a lively yet casual atmosphere with music by Mountaintop Sound and a legacy installation honoring past recipients of the LaRae King Friend of Art Award.
Michael Bahr, education director at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, will return as this year’s emcee along with Scott Burns. The live auction will feature a wide variety of media including paintings, photographs, ceramics, fused glass, and sculptures. Proceeds from the evening will go toward SUMA’s upcoming summer and fall exhibitions, which will be announced publicly for the first time at the auction.
“The art auction is more than a fundraiser for SUMA,” said Jessica Farling, director and curator of SUMA. “The money raised during the event allows us to bring a rich collective of nationally and internationally recognized artists to the southern Utah community. The art auction supports new exhibitions that will share the beauty and history of the region, boost tourism through cultural connections, and present new and diverse perspectives.”
The Art Auction features more work from local and regional artists than in previous years. This year’s participating artists include Arlene Braithwaite, Royden Card, Jenny Christiansen, Megumi Dold, TJ Eisenhart, Jeremy I Fagergren, Nick Froyd, Richard Hardin, Susan Harris, Willamarie Huelskamp, Brad Holt, Brian Hoover, Mary Jabens, Roland Lee, Glen Lyman, Andrew Kent-Marvick, Marta Mitchell, Valerie Orlemann, David Pettit, Micah Player, Michael Plyler, Ron Rencher, Debbie Robb, Mike Ryan, Tatiana Roulin, Kate Starling, Anne Steinhauer, Carol Stenger, Anna Tillet, Carrie Trenholm, Kim Twitchell, Robyn Twitchell, Katharine Villard, Diane Walsh, Mona Woolsey, Russell Wrankle, and Steve Yates. Additional auction items are provided by Art Works Gallery in Cedar City and Thunderbird Foundation in Mount Carmel Junction.
Join the Southern Utah Museum of Art as it celebrates, and support the visual arts in southern Utah. Tickets are $50 for Friends of SUMA members and $60 for not-yet members. Registration is available online through Eventbrite or at go.suu.edu/artauction.
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