PARTY Auction Tonight at the Powerhouse

One of Oxford’s biggest fundraising events of the year is tonight and the preparation of the artists involved has been in full swing. Art enthusiasts are looking forward to the P[ART]Y Auction at the Powerhouse Community Arts Center.

“The art auction is the big fundraising event for the art gallery where we bring in all the money to support the gallery and main artists,” said co-director of the department’s art gallery Jake Weigel.

The art department at The University of Mississippi selects pieces from current students, faculty and alumni to be auctioned off. The auction will spotlight select work by emerging student artists and accomplished faculty, with proceeds funding Gallery 130 operation and the art department’s visiting artist program.

Some students, who are not a part of the auction, are also looking forward to it.

“Artists are very competitive and it would be great to attend the art auction to see the art works exhibited,” said Ole Miss student Christina Harris.

Benny Melton, a graduate student in the art department said, “We have a very strong faculty, the students work very hard. I think it is chance to get out into the community of Oxford beyond the campus and show value for what we do and make people aware that we have pretty high quality coming out of this department.”

Melton says the auction also offers student artists a chance to get their work out in front of a buying public.

“Lot of these undergrads have not participated in an auction before. So, it is a big deal to see their work in front of the public or perhaps see it in competitive situation where people are bidding for their product. It’s exciting and inspiring for the artists.”

The auction will take place on Thursday, Nov. 7 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Powerhouse. There will also be a silent auction from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and a cocktail hour from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. the same day.

–Story contributed by Meek School of Journalism and New Media student Deepthi Reddy Gomaram