An exciting art auction is happening now at Catskill Artists Gallery, and will continue until July 3. The opening and start of the silent auction on Saturday May 15 provided a strong kickoff to a series of initiatives it has planned to “Dump the Debt!” by the end of the year. Each of the six members of the co-op gallery donated at least one original piece of art for the silent auction, and bidding started strongly. Bidding will continue until the gallery’s next opening, on July 3. Potential bidders may place phone bids or come in and bid in person. The bids will be updated on the gallery’s Facebook page.

The gallery has successfully been holding its own in a difficult economy, but needs to get rid of some lingering debt in order to provide even more art and services to the local community -- and continue contributing to the downtown renaissance.

CAG currently provides a local venue for a wide range of high-quality fine art and fine craft in all media, styles and prices ranges. Customers have repeatedly expressed their delight in having found the gallery with high-quality work in a small town. Under one roof, local residents and tourists alike can choose from many works of art and craft that are unique, beautiful and reasonably priced.

Just as important is the venue the gallery provides for many area artists who have few places to display their work. CAG’s consignors and members can show few or many works, and can test the waters with new and experimental work, all in a supportive environment.

In the future, CAG hopes to provide art classes and life-drawing, be open for longer hours, and perhaps hire a part-time employee.

As President Buff McAllister says, “Since we’re not the government we can’t collect taxes or issue bonds; so we’ve had to come up with some more creative ideas.” The next idea is a gourmet bake sale at the July 3 opening.

NEW WORK & SILENT AUCTION

May 15th - June 27th, 2010

The Catskill Artists Gallery offers an exhibition of "New Work" opening Saturday, May 15 with a gala reception from 4 to 8 p.m. The show will run through June 27.

Gallery members will be showing new works never before seen at the gallery. Robert Friedman will exhibit his colorful sculpture fabricated from plastics, aluminum and found materials. Cate Gundlah will show off new decorative and functional objects made of shimmering glass. Kathy Jeffers’ whimsical pottery is always growing and changing form. Buff McAllister will show more of her large fabric collages from her “Doors Through Life” series. Helena Clare Pittman has beautiful new oil and pastel works to offer. Hank Schneider, photographer and woodworker, will keep us guessing until the last minute which of his many talents will be on display.

In an exciting “first,” each of the six member artists will present one or more works for a silent auction. The auction will start on May 15 and will continue until the opening of the next show, July 3, when the successful bidders will be announced. Bids may be made at any time the gallery is open, or may be called in. Current bids will be posted on the gallery’s site on Facebook.