Roxbury Art Group: Whet Paint Event

by Robert Sievert

Art collector Barbara Klippert with her painting by Helaine Manzo

Click on image to see larger view

In Roxbury Gallery

Choosing a painting....

Every year, usually on the Labor Day weekend The Roxbury Art Group (RAG) holds a Whet (wet) Paint event. Roxbury is a cozy hamlet snuggled in the Catskill Mountains. Many artists live in the area. They enlist the participation of artists to come and spend the day painting on canvases they supply and then at the end of the day they auction them off. In past years they have sold tickets for $100.00 and ticket holders could enter the gallery and choose a painting of their choice.

This year was a bit different. Next to each painting was a bid list. Buyers were able to make bids on paintings and then enter their bid. Prices went up in ten dollar increments. To get into the event one had to pay a $10.00 entry fee. Most paintings sold. Their new method of bidding seemed to add to the excitement of the event

To entice the artists RAG put out a lavish breakfast at 9:30 AM after which they took a canvas and went a-painting. Paintings were expected back at 4 PM and the gallery opened at 5 PM. Again there was a wonderful spread of wine and finger food. Artists hobnobbed with guests and there was a sense of merriment as people went around admiring the art and penciling in bids. Several paintings had groups of bidders around them that vied for the last spot on the list as the close of bidding was announced.

As could be expected most of the paintings were of local rustic landscape.

Artist Louise Guerin arriving in the morning

Selection of available paintings

ETAOIN
March 17, 2007