For the third year in a row, art lovers will take a stroll through a garden of flowers with the wafting scent of fresh summer food and the lulling sound of jazz music for the Washington State University Museum of Art benefit on Saturday at Living in the Garden.
“It’s very much a feast for the senses as far as art goes,” said Debby Stinson, WSU Museum of Art marketing manager.
The annual benefit helps fund the museum's exhibitions, books, Buy a Busload of Kids program and more, Stinson said. As part of the Buy a Busload of Kids program, children are bused to the WSU Museum of Art for tours, and they get to spend the rest of the day on the WSU campus.
Tickets are sold for the benefit, and about 30 artists donate artwork for silent auction each year. Debby’s husband, Henry, was one of the artists who donated artwork for the benefit.
The Russian impressionist painter, who enjoys figurative work, has art displayed at exhibitions in Arizona, Georgia and Utah, but decided to donate to the museum because he said it goes toward a good cause.
The WSU Museum of Art, Henry said, “does a great job of getting art out to people and it’s also successful. There are not many museums that are free.”
While Henry is currently painting a series of Converse shoes, he donated a 26-by-32-inch Palouse landscape painting called “High Noon.”
Henry said his donated artwork is usually auctioned off substantially below market value, so the benefit is a good place to purchase artwork for less money.
“The past four or five years has been really tough for the arts,” Henry said. “Art is a luxury item. People aren’t spending money on art. They're trying to pay the mortgage and food.”
The band Pork Pie Hat will perform for the benefit, while food from the WSU organic farm will be prepared by Black Cypress and South Fork Public House. Pork Pie Hat is composed of WSU employees and alumni.
Advance tickets cost $80 per person, or $130 for two. Museum members may buy tickets for $65, or $110 for two attendees. To purchase tickets, call Ann Saberi at 509-335-1910, or email Jill Aesoph at aesoph@wsu.edu. Living in the Garden, 601 Reid Road, is two miles north of Pullman, off state Highway 27.
“There are amazing foods, a gorgeous garden setting, you have Pork Pie Hat … and then there’s a silent art auction,” Debby said. “It is a phenomenal, beautiful, wonderful, extended evening with family and friends. It’s just fun.”
Treffry can be contacted at (208) 883-4640 or ltreffry@inland360.com. Follow her on Twitter at: @LindseyTreffry.
-> if you go: WHAT: WSU Museum of Art benefit WHEN: 7-9 p.m. Saturday WHERE: Living in the Garden, 601 Reid Road, Pullman COST: $80 per person or $130 for two
