Ritzville Adams County Journal, November 13, 2008

Cowboy Christmas Art Auction to

benefit RDDA’s annual art show

The first weekend in December promises to kick off the holiday season in style with a variety of activities planned by area organizations.

A new addition to the traditional holiday opener is the 2008 Cowboy Christmas Art Auction set for Saturday, Dec. 6, at the American Legion Hall. More than $14,000 in original and limited edition paintings, bronze sculpture and metal art will be sold. A total of 40 pieces of art will be offered during the live auction. Among those are 14 limited edition prints and 26 pieces of original artwork.

The Ritzville Downtown Development Association is sponsoring the semi-formal gala. Attendees are encouraged to wear their best western attire.

Proceeds from the evening event will benefit the Historic Ritzville Days Western Art Show held on Memorial Day weekend.

The artists who participated in the 2008 art show have donated the art that will be sold on Dec. 6. The RDDA is the host of the annual art show, which featured 37 artists in 2008.

Paul Newman of Zillah, Wash., will serve as the live auctioneer for this event. Newman has been the fine art auctioneer for the Ellensburg National Art Show during the past two years. He is well known in the Yakima Valley for his efforts with the Toppenish Mural Society. He has served as the auctioneer for the mural society’s annual art auction for several years.

The auction will feature a holiday décor with country theme. Melva Eichner has volunteered to create a winter wonderland with a rustic country look. Eichner has even constructed handmade pinecone baskets that will serve as centerpieces at each of the tables. The baskets will be filled with a poinsettia. Each of the baskets will be given away throughout the evening as door prizes.

Raffle tickets will be available on the night of the auction for purchase. The raffle tickets will be used to select the winner of six framed and autographed 2008 event posters that feature artwork by Sherryl Evans. Three other framed and autographed posters will be sold during the live auction. Those posters feature original art on the backs, drawn during last year’s show by Anita Klien, Jack Fordyce and Joel Olson.

The event begins at 5 p.m. with a social gathering and art preview until 6:30 p.m. The live auction starts at 6:30 p.m.

Mike Telecky and Diane Koss are preparing a full menu of ‘Western Grub’ for the evening. The menu includes “cowboy caviar,” spicy shrimp skewers, honey barbecue chicken wings, buffalo sausage, barbecued ribs, Santa Fe wraps, spiced nuts, cowboy cookies and more.

Nevada Slim and Cimarron Sue, a country and western singing duo will perform during the social hour and art preview.

Whisperin’ Palms is providing a no-host bar.

Tickets are $10 per person and are available at Ritzville Drug, The Hair Center, Sunny Spot Floral and Gifts, Cow Creek Mercantile and The Ritzville Adams County Journal.