It’s artauctionpalooza Friday and Saturday, thanks to fund-raisers “Places, Spaces and Chairs” and “Empty Bowls” (both April 18) and “PH Picassos” (April 19).
Southside Main Street’s “Places, Spaces” event got a write-up in this space last week as artists began installing the chair-inspired sculpture along Main between 12th and 15th. Sketches of the chairs and other works by participating artists will be auctioned at SoMa’s fund-raiser from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at Juanita’s party room. Tickets are $35 at the door and support the neighborhood development organization.
Artists Stephano and Scotti Bunge will paint live at the fifth annual “Empty Bowls” event, which starts at 6:30 p.m. at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Proceeds from the silent and live auction — which will feature bowls, paintings, sports paraphernalia, gift certificates and more — will go to the Arkansas Foodbank Network, which feeds the hungry throughout the state. Some bowls will be signed by celebrities (including the country pop group Rascal Flatts). A number of Little Rock’s top restaurants are providing the food and a Latin jazz trio will perform. Tickets are $40. Call 565-8121.
Pulaski Heights Elementary School’s “Picassos” event celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. The fund-raiser, which features both live and silent auctions, has grown quite a bit from humble beginnings to include work by more than 100 artists, including Picasso, Matisse, Chagall and Miro. Among the Arkansas artists are Tim Hursley, Kevin Kresse, Pat Matthews, Matt McLeod, Laura Laser, Rita Henry (photography), Darrell Loy Scott and others whose names are well known. Work in all price ranges will be available. Look also for children’s art in clay and paper, jewelry, scarves, gift certificates and more. “Picassos” runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Ricks Armory just east of Ray Winder Field. Tickets are $5 per child and $10 per adult and include food and drink. Proceeds benefit PTA programs. Contact Monica Kimbrell at 661-1931 mkimbrell@comcast.net for tickets.
“Picassos” is altering its schedule to become a biennial event, so if you don’t go this year you’ll have to wait until 2010.