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The Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition’s Annual Fundraiser: 12x12 Art Sale and Exhibition by Stephen Kovash I just changed my three month calendar. As of today, July, August and September are showing. Time flies when you are old. Fall is on the wall now and we can soon look forward to cooler days, the State Fair, Oklahoma Football and the 16th Annual 12 x 12 Art Sale and Exhibition organized by the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition. Laveryl Lower and I are chairing the event again and with the help of our Headline Sponsor, Chesapeake Energy Corporation and other generous sponsors we have great expectations for 2006. In 2005, over 640 people came to the Sonic building in Bricktown and we raised more than $42,000. Working with the 12 x 12 committee we will bring an even better event to you this year. New this year, we will be previewing selected pieces in the atrium of Leadership Square in downtown Oklahoma City. The work will be on view during normal business hours from September 1 through September 22. The event itself is scheduled for Saturday, September 30 and will start at 7:00 pm with a donor preview reception at 6:30 pm. The location for the 2006 12 x 12 is 410 Walnut Ave. in Deep Deuce (north of Bricktown) in an historic school building built in 1911. The space is being donated by UrbanWorks, Inc. & Gen One Real Estate Investment Services who also donated the space for the recent Oklahoma City Momentum event. Artists were selected from the OVAC Virtual Gallery and invited to submit art that is 12 by 12 inches or smaller. A variety of media will be represented, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, graphite, mixed media and more—there is something for every art lover. The art will be sold by blind and silent auction (no one can see what another bids), and the minimum bid is $144. This year, the bid closing times will be staggered to allow more opportunities to purchase art and to expedite the check out process. Artists receive a percentage of the sale, but many donate their commission back to OVAC to support the organization. Funds generated by 12x12 go directly back to Oklahoma artists through grants, awards and other resources such as workshops, publications and exhibitions. OVAC provides more than $27,000 in direct artist grants and more than $200,000 in artist services each year. A cash bar will be available and suitably impressive nibbles will be provided by some of the coolest restaurants in town, including Flip’s, Cascata, The Metro Wine Bar and Bistro, the Museum Café and Tom & Jerry’s.
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Tickets are on sale in advance for $24 online at www.ovac-ok.org, by phone 405.232.6991 or at the following locations: the DK Salon in Edmond; the office of Dr. Tami Ross, Leadership Square; Shortt’s Jewelry, 11645 South Western in Oklahoma City; Winans Fine Chocolates & Coffee, 207 East Main in Norman; Provence, 3337 S. Boulevard St. in Edmond and Full Circle Bookstore in Oklahoma City. Tickets will be $30 at the door. For more information visit www.ovac-ok.org or call 405.232.6991.
Top: Francis Moran Just a Little Anguish, Copper Coated Clay Middle: Tom Lee Untitled, Photography Bottom: Bert D. Seabourn Are you Talking to Me?, Acrylic on Canvas