An upcoming fundraiser will see people bidding on artwork, but those interested in buying a piece will have no idea who made the art until the event comes to a close.
The Anonymous Art Show is an inaugural event to raise money for the Chilliwack Community Arts Council, and they’re hoping to get a wide scope of artists.
“We’re looking for people that maybe have been an artist in the past and haven’t gotten into it in a while, to more established artists,” said Lise Oakley with the arts council. “That’s the whole thing is you get these artists who you’ve never seen or heard of.”
She got the idea after coming across an anonymous art show in Whistler.
How it works is people purchase an eight-inch-by-eight-inch canvas supplied by the arts council. Artists must complete and hand in their piece between March 15 and May 15. The pick-up and drop-off location for the canvases is Cornerstone Custom Picture Framing in downtown Chilliwack. Artists also need to fill out a participation form which can be found on the arts council website.
The art will then be on display on June 7 where they will be part of a three-hour silent auction at Cornerstone.
There’s no theme to the show, and it is open to all levels of artists aged 16 and older. People can use any medium they want, but the work must be done on the canvases supplied and sold by the arts council.
There are 100 canvases to sell at $10 each and, yes, folks can buy more than one. Cash is preferred.
“Every artist that wants to participate, whether they’re amateur or professional, they can do up to three.”
Artist are not allowed to sign their work, but they are encouraged to title it.
“It’s fully anonymous and they shouldn’t share with family and friends,” Oakley added. “People don’t know who the artist is until they purchase.”
The bidding will take place at Cornerstone Custom Picture Framing (9369 Mill St.) during the buying night from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 7.
Bidding for each piece starts at $50, with no maximum bid. The bidding will be in-person on June 7 only, there is no online bidding. The artists will have the option to take 50 per cent of the sale, or donate it to the Chilliwack Community Arts Council.
After June 7, the pieces will remain on display until the end of June before the purchasers will take them home. Any art that is not sold on the bidding night will be available to purchase after the auction is over.
The June 7 fundraiser is a 19+ ticketed event and will feature music and drinks for purchase. Tickets are $20. Artists who buy a canvas and participate in the Anonymous Art Show will get into the June 7 event at no charge.
Anyone who cannot afford to pay for a canvas or cannot pick one up, the arts council will help, Oakley said. They can contact office@chilliwackartscouncil.com or 604-795-6897.
For more, including a link to the participation form, go to chilliwackartscouncil.com/anonymous-art-show.
Looking for more events taking place in and around Chilliwack? Check out What’s happening Chilliwack in our community section.