THE FEBRUARY 1999
PATRON AND STUDENT SHOWS

February is the "exception to the rule" month, as regards the gallery shows. During the rest of the year, a new show of juried work, all of it for sale, is exhibited in The Art League Gallery. In February, however, two different shows are presented: the first two weeks of the month is our annual fundraiser, the Patrons' Show; and the second two weeks, the Student-Faculty Show. Our annual Valentine sale runs concurrently with the Patron Show. Many of our member artists create one-of-a-kind valentines for sale to the public.

In 1999, we presented our 32nd Annual Patrons' Show. All the work hung in the gallery is donated by our artist members as a way to support their organization. These pieces are not for sale, but will be awarded by drawing on the final day of the show. Tickets for the Patron's Show generally sell out as soon as offered, usually on a Saturday morning in mid-January.

The Patrons' Show drawing works this way:

      People buy Patrons' Show tickets for $100.00 in advance. We sell only as many tickets as we have works of art, so that every ticketholder will get one of the pieces of art. The Patrons' Show drawing begins with the person whose ticket is drawn first getting first selection of all the pieces of art. The next person drawn can choose from anything not previously chosen until all the tickets have been pulled.

      The whole affair is very busy and a lot of fun. We serve food and drink during the evening to keep people going because it usually takes about four hours. It's a great game, and everyone goes home with something! We may have as many as 600 pieces of art, so it's a lively evening!

       In conjunction with this, we offer the additional "First Choice!" raffle which gives everyone a chance to participate in a different way. It is a separate (lottery-type) raffle with only one winner. Tickets for this are $15.00 (or 2/$25.00) and the buyer notes a specific choice of art on the ticket. The single winner will be selected before the regular drawing begins. Those holding only "First Choice!" tickets need not be present to win.

The second half of the month is devoted to an exhibition of work by many of our outstanding faculty members, and additional work by their students here at The Art League School. It's a good opportunity for those considering taking a class to see the style in which a particular instructor works. And it's a delightful show to enjoy visiting.