If you've never been, this is the year to go. If you are planning on going, buy your tickets now. PONCHO's 7th Annual Invitational Fine Art Auction has grown over the years to be a sell out event, a great place to enjoy local artists, pick up fresh and diverse art, plus have a good time. Auction goers will be wowed with the unveiling of over 300 exciting pieces of break through work created by incredible NW artists known both locally and nationally (look for an on-line preview of this year's exciting art next week!).

Adding to this year's caliber of artistic expertise is the addition of curated sections in the live and silent auctions by several of Seattle’s top art dealers and gallery owners including Billy Howard from Howard House, Susan Grover from Grover Thurston Gallery, and Barbara Shaiman from Seattle Art Museum Gallery Art Sales and Rental. Projected installations by the Henry Art Gallery among others also lend to the powerhouse of talent collecting under one roof for this artful evening.

Entertainment will include Seattle’s most untraditional men’s choral group, Captain Smartypants, who will present their sensationally twisted take on Robert Palmer’s famous music video “Addicted to Love”.

The auction is once again proudly sponsored by the evening’s Presenting Sponsor, Safeco Insurance. Media Sponsor is Seattle Magazine. To reserve your tickets, use our secure online registration or contact Inna at 206-623-6233 ext. 203 or inna@poncho.org. for benefits and more information.

If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please contact Jean Fukuda at jean@poncho.org. or click here.

Photo:
Artist Lino Tagliapietra
Stromboli
9.25" x 16.5" x 5.5"
2006
Stromboli is a work of hand-blown color glass and murrine, engraved on the surface with "battuto" cut.
Photo courtesy of Lino Tagliapietra, Inc.

To preview even more break through art being showcased a this year's IFA, walk a half a block down Stewart to the Escala Sales Center (on Stewart between 4th and 5th Ave). There you will find the works of this year's Artistic Merit Award winners on display until Feb. 15th. PONCHO IFA Artistic Merit Awards are given to participating artists who have demonstrated an exceptional creative abilitiy in their art. This year, 25 participating artists were selected by a Jury of NW artists, all who have donated art to this year's IFA. See a full list of this year's Merit awards here.

PONCHO thanks Macy*s’ Visual Team and Escala for their creative vision, hard work and continued support.

Photo Credit: Ken Wagner

Lino! The Maestro from Murano at the Museum of Glass

According to Dale Chihuly, 73-year-old Lino Tagliapietra is the best glassblower in the world—possibly ever. Lino’s reputation as a respected maestro in the glass houses of Murano, Italy expanded dramatically when he traveled to the Pacific Northwest in the summer of 1979 to demonstrate glassblowing techniques at the Pilchuck Glass School. The knowledge he shared, which traditionally had been regarded as Italian trade secrets, allowed the artists of the Studio Glass movement to develop the technical skills to fully realize the potential of glass as a sculptural medium.

Opening February 23, the Museum of Glass presents Lino Tagliapietra in Retrospect: A Modern Renaissance in Italian Glass, the first exhibition to look at Tagliapietra’s art and forty years of his career. This exhibition documents and celebrates Lino’s remarkable achievements as a contemporary artist and includes not only his pivotal and renowned series of artistic work, but also designs made for industry and private objects that have never been exhibited. The 276 objects range from small, whimsical party favors made for Lino’s family and friends to breathtakingly elegant and evocative sculptural forms. From functional to fantastic, colorful Italian tradition merges with the individual artistic exuberance that defines Lino.

"Lino Tagliapietra is a living legend in the glass community, and we are thrilled to collaborate with him," said Museum of Glass director Timothy Close. "The Museum facility allows visitors the rare opportunity to come and watch Lino at work in the Hot Shop, then to step into the galleries and see his finished work on display and watch a documentary film or hear a lecture in the theater. This is exactly the type of experience the Museum of Glass wants to provide to our visitors."

In conjunction with the exhibition, Lino will work in the Museum’s Hot Shop for two 5-day Visiting Artist residencies and participate in a variety of events open to visitors. The exhibition is curated by Susanne K. Frantz, a noted scholar and former curator of 20th century glass at The Corning Museum of Glass. A full-color catalogue and 45-minute DVD produced by the Museum of Glass accompany the show.

Visit www.museumofglass.org for a complete schedule of events.

Photo courtesy of the Museum of Glass

PS--don't miss the exciting Lino auction item "Stromboli" at the 2008 PONCHO Art Auction!

Join us on the red carpet on Saturday, April 12, 2008, at PONCHO's 46th Annual Gala. This year's theme, Nouveau Glam, will treat attendees to an engaging and festive evening of humor, fantasy, and glamour. As PONCHO's only black tie required event, attendees are encouraged to "glam" themselves to the nines. More information to follow.