If you’ve got a Benjamin Franklin in your pocket, you can afford to start an art collection.
Mesa Contemporary Arts — the museum at Mesa Arts Center — will sell original works from 105 professional artists during its 10 x 10 Benefit Show & Sale on Monday night. The pieces are $100 a pop.
“Everything is one of a kind. We have a beautiful textile by Marla Hattabaugh, a fabrics artist, and Helen Norsigian Rowles did a wonderful pencil drawing on wood. So, the mediums are all over the place, and every piece is an original,” says associate curator Tiffany Fairall.
The two- and three-dimensional works measure no more than 10-inches-by-10-inches. They were created for the third annual sale by artists whose work has been vetted by the museum over the years.
The art is on display through Sunday at the museum, so you can get a peek at what’s up for grabs.
At Monday’s sale and reception, be ready to move quickly to obtain your picks. Doors open promptly at 7 p.m., and the art cannot be reserved.
“There’s actually a line leading out, people are waiting in line to get their pieces. They show up starting probably an hour before,” says Fairall. “People are sad (when they don’t get the piece they have their eye on), but it’s first-come, first-serve. No one gets special treatment.”
The evening includes a cash bar and complimentary desserts, such as cream puffs and cheesecake. Multiple exhibitions will be open for viewing in the galleries.
All proceeds from the sale of artwork will benefit MCA exhibitions and educational programs.
Mesa Contemporary Arts is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, at 1 E. Main St. Admission is free. Entry to Monday night’s sale is $10 per person. Become an MCA member anytime through Monday evening, and you’ll get free admission for two to the sale and a percentage off artwork. For information, call (480) 644-6560 or visit www.mesaartscenter.com and click on “Museum.”
• Contact writer: (480) 898-6818 or azajac@evtrib.com
