An inspiring selection of artwork is on view at the Albany Community Center through November 3, when it will all go home with the winning bidders from Noche Tropical’s 4th Annual Silent Auction Party to support Albany’s SchoolCARE.
The local school community boasts many creative parents: artists, craftspeople, musicians, designers, animators, filmmakers, chefs and entrepreneurs, who are able to donate art and services to benefit the schools. SchoolCARE was founded seven years ago to raise money to supplement school funding, and four years ago Noche Tropical was created by Amy St. George, local parent and painter, to provide an additional way for parents to contribute to the schools while also developing a community- building event. Currently, Noche Tropical earns about $35,000 of the $300,000 SchoolCARE raises annually for the Albany schools.
Many of the artworks available through the silent auction were contributed by artists with major gallery representation as well as by artists who have worked steadily for years in other jobs. Collectors have started to recognize the Noche Tropical silent auction as an opportunity to build their collections.
Bill Dane, Albany parent of two, makes photographs of stunning creativity which turn his insightful and fresh eye on the curious and ordinary from our everyday world. He has been awarded two Guggenheim fellowships, two NEA grants, many museum and gallery exhibits and his photographs are in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the National Gallery in Washington DC and many others. Dane has also developed a unique and endlessly generous way to give to SchoolCARE. At any time, anyone can choose an image from his website, www.billdane.com, and receive a 10x15" print from Dane in return for a $200 donation to SchoolCARE.
Elisa Kleven, world famous children’s book illustrator and artist and Albany parent, also offers one of her well-loved images of the ‘Paper Princess’ on her airy travels over the Bay Area.
Grace Munakata took time from her busy schedule as an artist and Professor of Art at Cal State University East Bay to prepare a donation of one of her poetic and lyrical mixed media collages. Next year she will be featured in two solo exhibits at Braunstein/Quay Gallery of San Francisco and B. Sakato Garo Gallery of Sacramento.
Michael Shemchuk, an Albany painter and parent whose richly textured abstracts have been shown nationally, including a solo exhibit at New York’s OK Harris Gallery last May, continues to support SchoolCARE with a painting donation this year.
Another Albany photographer is Doug Donaldson, whose images feature the local environment in his two donations, "Happy Donuts" and "Liquid Amber/Winter Fog", a work that captures the mysterious feeling of our local fog. Local icon "Burger Depot" is the central image of a beautiful giclee print of a painting donated by the popular Albany painter Kanna Aoki.
Other artists offer paintings, prints and photographs that comment on motherhood, nature or belong to the abstract tradition. Bidding has already started on the artwork; a notebook with bid sheets is at the front desk of the Albany Community Center.
Noche Tropical Art Exhibit hanging with Carol Newborg and Amy St. George
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The Saturday, November 3, silent auction party is not to be missed. There will be bountiful food contributed by local restaurants Cesar and ‘downtown’ and other chefs, wine and beer, and live music featuring Dean Muench, base player, Tom Weimer, guitarist and Bruce Felter, drummer.
Most exciting of all to many shopper/Albany school supporters are the many auction items, such as an Ifshin violin, music lessons, vacation cabins in Sea Ranch and Tahoe, or great Solano Avenue store and restaurant gift certificates. It’s also a great time to start holiday shopping among the new toys, handmade jewelry, scarves, handbags, home decorating items, clothing and more.
The community center is transformed from a simple large room to a tropical
paradise full of lights, plants, and colorful decorations. Many partygoers choose to break out their tropical wear and warm up a November night. Tickets cost $45 and will be available by calling 558-6865 after October 15th.
Noche Tropical Silent Auction Party takes place Saturday, November 3, 7-10 PM at the Albany Community Center, corner of Marin Avenue and Masonic Avenue. The Noche Tropical Art Exhibit is on display now through November 3 in the Community Center Gallery, Monday-Friday 9-5, Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 12-5. For more information about Noche Tropical, please visit www.nochetropical.org, where a full list of auction items will be available after October 27. In addition, more information about SchoolCARE is available at http://www.albanyschoolcare.org.
