Donating to the PONCHO Art Auction

Procurement effort for the 2008 Art Auction is currently under way. If you are interested in donating, please contact Inna at the PONCHO office at inna@poncho.org or 206-623-6233 ext. 203.

PONCHO is committed to creating the best opportunity to meet artists' marketing needs by introducing new patrons to their work and allowing them to meet the buyers while attending the event.

The PONCHO Invitational Fine Art Committee is responsible for selecting artists and works for the Art Auction that represent the diversity, artistic quality, and individuality of creative ideas and techniques present in the Northwest visual arts scene.

Emerging and established artists interested in being included in the auction are asked to submit examples of their work (slides or digital images), resume or bibliography and artist statement for consideration by the PONCHO Invitational Fine Art Committee. The IFA Committee meets monthly to review submitted portfolios. Please submit the required information via mail to the PONCHO office, or e-mail it to inna@poncho.org.

By donating your artwork to this year's event, you will:

Receive our Artist Allocation -- All artists can receive 20% of the sale price of their piece if it sells for 100% or more of the stated value, or 10% if it sells for under 100%. Last year, PONCHO donating artists received nearly $35,000 as part of the Artist Allocation Program. (Alternatively, you may forego the artist allocation, allowing PONCHO to allocate the full sale price to the arts organizations that PONCHO funds.)
Be featured in the Online Auction Preview -- The online preview goes to approximately 3,000 arts fans and is featured on the PONCHO web site during a month prior to the event. Web search engines, such as Google, bring up the PONCHO web site at the top of the list, so if your name was searched for and your work appeared in the preview, potential buyers will be able to access your information through the PONCHO web site.
Be featured in the Art Auction catalog, which includes your contact information next to the description of your piece. The catalog is published in full color and mailed to Art Auction patrons prior to the event. You will also receive the catalog prior to the auction. A sample page from last year's auction catalog is enclosed.
Receive promotional opportunities as we advertise the event. Several events are planned throughout the year to introduce art collectors to the work of PONCHO artists. A number of pieces will be displayed at the ESCALA condominium sales center (located at 414 Stewart Street, Suite 200) during an Art Auction preview and ESCALA buyer events. In addition, several pieces will be displayed in the downtown Macy*s windows for a month prior to the Auction.
Receive one complimentary admission to the PONCHO Invitational Fine Art Auction, where you can meet patrons in person.
Be listed on the PONCHO Web site, including your contact information and a link to your website/e-mail, for one year.
Receive recognition in the PONCHO annual report, distributed to over 8,000 PONCHO supporters.
Be considered for the PONCHO Artistic Merit Awards, given to 12-15 artists, as judged by a PONCHO Jury of Peers, consisting of local artists. Award recipients will receive recognition in the catalog, at the event, and will receive tickets to arts performances donated by PONCHO recipient organizations. Additionally, the Art Auction Preview exhibit at ESCALA will be held in February and feature the artwork of Merit Award winners available for viewing to the general public. A special party is planned to honor the winners. Please see additional information about the Merit Awards in your packet.
Be eligible for the PONCHO Artist of the Year Award. This winner receives recognition at the PONCHO Art Auction and an award of $5,000. Past recipients include Jacob Lawrence, Gwendolyn Knight, Steve Jensen, Ramona Solberg, Buster Simpson, Marita Dingus, Fay Jones, and Juan Alonso. As an honor, the winner will create artwork to be featured on next year’s Art Auction invitation. Additionally limited edition prints and/or other commemorative items of the artist’s artwork will be produced for sale at next year’s event.

Participation and support of this year's Art Auction by local artists will help PONCHO continue its mission of providing greater resources and broader access to the arts in the Northwest. Artists are only asked to participate once every three years.

Artists invited by the IFA Committee, are asked to:

Contribute a piece of work that represents their unique strengths and abilities as an artist;
Complete and mail/ fax the IFA Donation Forms by November 30, 2007;
Deliver the piece to the PONCHO office or arrange for pick up by PONCHO on or before November 30, 2007 to ensure its inclusion in our auction catalog and jury process;

Artists are encouraged to review:

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Inna Shmelyova, Art Manager, at 206-623-6233, ext. 203 or e-mail her at inna@poncho.org.