November 22, 2016
Art Over Easy set for Dec. 2 in Surplus Gallery
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- For a dozen years, Art Over Easy, the biggest fundraiser for the School of Art and Design at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, has struck exactly the right balance between gala art auction and fun-spirited art show.
Art Over Easy 12 is 7-9:30 p.m. on Dec. 2 in the Surplus Gallery, the main gallery in The Glove Factory (432 S. Washington Ave. Carbondale). Admission is $30 a person and includes beverages (including wine and beer) and light refreshments. The José Guzmán Trio provides the music.
While the event is a sale, and the main goal is fundraising, there is also the element of the art show. All the art for sale gets the juried art exhibition treatment. This year’s juror is Stephen Grimmer, owner of Alto Clay Works and a strong supporter of the school and the arts in the region.
Marie Bukowski, director of the School of Art and Design, described the jurying process as being rather like curating an exhibit as Grimmer decides what pieces go well with others and which make the most compelling live auction entries.
“We have a lot of great artwork donated,” Bukowski said. “Students, faculty and alumni all donate artwork to support us, but our biggest contributors come from our amazing community-based artists who strengthen our program by donating their work as well.”
Bukowski said the Art Over Easy staff is busy sorting through the donations. She noted one local artist’s contributions include up-cycled items transformed into custom pieces. “The artist made a chair that restores beauty to a treadle sewing machine and late 1800s barn wood by combining and reconditioning them into something stylish, unique and purposeful,” she said.
The fundraiser supports School of Art and Design scholarships, research and facilities.