Upstairs Artspace hosts 100×100, a unique fundraiser

No doubt you’ve seen those mysterious green “X” stickers all around town – on cars, doors and shop windows – and wondered what they mean.

This Saturday, Sept. 14, their significance will be revealed when the Upstairs Artspace hosts 100×100, a unique fundraising event where 100 original works of art by numerous regional artists, each measuring 10 inches by 10 inches, will be available for purchase for only $100 each. That green “X” symbolizes something new and unique for the Tryon art community.

“We didn’t want to go with just another silent auction,” says event chairperson Kimberly Ward. “Although the open auctions have been very successful in the past, this year we want to level the playing field by establishing one set price for all the work. That’s a great way to make original art available to a younger crowd and the first-time collector, as well as to the established art patron.”

In keeping with the idea of a unified non-negotiable price, all work will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Another unique aspect of this sale is that the identity of the artist who completed each work will remain anonymous, to be revealed only when the exhibit closes on Sept. 28.

“We want visitors to the gallery to fall in love with the art, not the artist,” said Ward, “and buy the work on its own merits – because they really like a particular piece – rather than because it was done by someone whose work they know.”

Because of the anonymous nature of the event, some artists have taken the opportunity to expand their repertoire, creating work in a style or media other than that for which they are known. In other cases, the work will be immediately recognizable. Several artists have shown their support by creating multiple canvases. With so much artwork on hand, the variety is endless. There truly is something for everyone.

For those who enjoy a silent auction, three larger works will be available for bidding. Two are collaborative efforts by local artists working with non-artists to create unique work blending diverse ideas and sensibilities into one piece.

Painter, sculptor and writer Bonnie Bardos has worked with Gary Corn and James Blanton; and Tryon artist and curator Margaret Curtis has created a piece with Jack Tinkler. These works will be available for silent bid until the closing reception on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Also on Sept. 28, in an interesting display of non-interactive theater, artist Keith Spencer will transform a corner of the gallery into his personal studio where he will paint at various times, off and on, during the day. Although not technically a “demonstration,” viewers will get a chance to observe the normally solitary work of the artist in a very public setting, and the opportunity to bid on the work he finishes on-site that day.

The 100×100 fundraiser opens Saturday, Sept. 14 at 5 p.m. for previewing. Sales begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. and run until 9 p.m.

All work will remain on view for the duration of the show and remain available for purchase through the closing reception Saturday, Sept. 28, running from 6-9 p.m., when participating artists will be on hand to meet purchasers and sign their work.

For more information, call 828-859-2828 or visit the website at www.upstairsartspace.org.

– article submitted by Tom Madison