Sat 11/5 @ 6:30PM
In any given year SPACES puts the fun in fundraiser. However, its upcoming soiree ups the ante as the contemporary art venue plans on moving a half mile westward from its 2220 Superior Viaduct location to a new Detroit Avenue space that will open at the beginning of next year.
That means there’s extra appeal – as if that’s needed – regarding Great Expectations: WESTWARD HO! — SPACES Annual Benefit + Art Auction + Costume Party taking place Sat 11/5 at the Cleveland gallery. This year’s affair will honor Kathy & Dennis Barrie, who have been ardent supporters of SPACES and have helped build a vibrant cultural scene in Cleveland
As for the silent auction, bidders can expect a wide variety of mediums: ceramics, drawing, electronic/digital media/film/video, experiential packages, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, print, sculpture and textiles. Also, Zack Bruell Events will be not only the caterer but also the presenting sponsor.
CoolCleveland talked to SPACES development director Martha Loughridge about the benefit.
The first thing we notice about SPACES Annual Benefit + Art Auction + Costume Party is the theme of Great Expectations: WESTWARD HO!
We solicited suggestions from a lot of people and then the staff and board voted on it. This year we gravitated towards this theme because we’re so excited about the move a quarter mile west to 2900 Detroit Ave. So we decided to play with this 19th-century Cross Atlantic theme about dreams of a better life.
Tell us about the fundraising aspect of the evening
It’s a SPACES tradition to have our benefits the first Saturday in November. And it’s always been a silent auction and a costume party to raise money for art projects during the year. The first one happened in 1982 and it became an annual tradition in 1985. Depending on the year, 400 to 600 people attend. This benefit brings in about 10 percent of our operating revenue. It’s very important. Annually we have two main fundraisers. We have the benefit in the fall and our Monster Drawing Rally in the spring. They will both continue in the new space.
In terms of the artwork up for auction, what can people expect?
We’re talking about work by mostly Cleveland artists. Sometimes artists are from here or have spent time in Cleveland and moved away. They may still like to donate. Our visiting artists also often donate. Every year there are new donations so it’s current work from artists. Regarding the auction, a few years ago we moved from a paper system to a global bidding system so anybody can bid using an Internet-enabled device such as a smartphone or tablet. People can even bid offsite.
It seems as though, unlike other fundraisers that can become quite stuffy, this SPACES tradition eschews such pitfalls.
It’s been known as one of the wildest parties in town. Especially when there were fewer art venues, and really SPACES was it. Now, it’s great the community has grown so much because it’s really sort of making the sea rise for everybody. What’s exciting is our event has three parts to it in a way that all merge into one. We have a VIP preview, which starts at 6:30pm and those are sponsors and guests who come in at a higher ticket of $150. There’s also special entertainment. It’s sort of the more intimate party of the evening. And then at 8pm we open the doors to general admission. Finally, at 10pm we open the door to the dance party and the ticket prices drops to $10.
As far as the costume aspect is concerned, what are you expecting for Great Expectations: WESTWARD HO!?
Bring out your powdered wig or your cowboy boots or something in between. Some people may come in their best Victorian gown and hoop skirts. And other people may be wearing leather from head to foot. So who knows? Also, we’ll have mask making for those who maybe didn’t have time or nothing inspired you to dress up beforehand. You can satisfy your costume with a mask.
For those who have never experienced a SPACES fundraiser before, what should they expect?
It’s fun costumes, great art, great music and seeing all kinds of folks from the art community, as well as people who just like a good party.