Galveston Art Scene Supports Artist Boat
The work of many of Galveston’s leading artists will be available to the public on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at a silent auction benefiting Artist Boat, a local arts and environmental education group.
The event will be held at Eibands, 2201 Post Office Street, Galveston, TX 77550 from 6 to 9 PM.
The work of more than 75 Texas artists will be showcased, including popular painters Rene Wiley and Janet Hassinger, ceramist Maggie Fuller, photographer, Robert Mihovil and sculptor Stephanie Thomas.
Great Town for Artists Great Opportunity for Collectors
“This is a great town for art and for artists,” says Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski. The fact that the arts community is so generous in its support of Artist Boat demonstrates the enormous contribution that art and artists make to the City and to the environment.”
Jaworski notes that the art scene in Galveston was hard hit by Hurricane Ike. “Artists lost much of there work and many were displaced from their homes and studios, he says. “The fact that so many of our artists are already giving back to organizations like the Artist Boat speaks for itself.”
“A lot of collectors will be present at the auction,” adds philanthropist Robert Lynch. “It’s an opportunity to see the latest work by some of the State’s top artists and also pick up some great art at a good price.” Lynch is a well-known collector and former President of the Galveston Arts Center.
“The Float the Boat silent auction is one of the few times during the year when the public can see the full range of the Galveston art scene, adds Martha Terrill, the event’s arts coordinator.
“Galveston has a rich association with the arts dating back at least to the 1970s,” she says. “Artists such as Joe Glasco chose to work here and helped set the tone for much of what goes on in local art scene.”
Glasco moved to Galveston in the early 1980s and influenced artists such as George Condo, Julian Schnabel and Michael Tracy. He also inspired many of the artists who contributed their work to the auction, Terrill adds.
In 2010, 34 local and regional artists donated more than 50 pieces to the Artist Boat auction valued at $27,000.
“It’s going to be difficult to beat that mark, but early indications are that this year’s event could exceed that number, says Terrill.
The first major piece donated in 2011 by Susan Bogan at Bogan Gallery, was a 36 x44 canvas beach scene entitled “Lazy Days 2000” by well-known painter Lee Reynolds. Other participating artists include: Sallie Anderson, Bets Anderson, Derek Anderson, Victoria Narkin.
Artists who would like to contribute their work are asked to contact Terrill at mterrill4401@yahoo.com. The deadline for donations is October 4th.
About Artist Boat: Artist Boat promotes the well-being of the Gulf’s coastal and marine environments. In pursuit of that mission, the organization has conducted kayaking tours for almost 40,000 middle school students and trained more than 1,300 teachers to conduct integrated art- and science learning programs. Since 2008, the organization also helped students and teachers restore more than 15 acres of dunes, prairies and wetlands damaged by Hurricane Ike.
Contact: Susan Persons
Tel: 713-504-2030
