Join the Patrons’ Show event live stream here! The virtual event begins Sunday, February 16, at 2:30pm.

*There is NO in-person event this year*

Patrons’ Show After-Auction goes live Tuesday, February 18 at 7:00pm.

 

 

Get your tickets here: Patron’s Show 2025

 

What is the Patrons’ Show Fundraiser?

The Art League’s Patrons’ Show Fundraiser is an experience that’s part fundraiser, part art show, and totally fun. It’s The Art League’s biggest fundraising event of the year, providing both seasoned art collectors and newcomers with the excellent opportunity to acquire high-quality, original fine art at a bargain price while supporting a great non-profit organization and community of artists. For each ticket drawn, ticketholders win a work of art valued anywhere from $250 to upwards of thousands of dollars.

The event will be broadcast online, so ticketholders may tune in virtually to the live drawing!

All proceeds benefit The Art League’s educational programs, exhibits, community outreach programs, and Classroom Relocation Project.

See the work online:

View the artwork collection online via Flickr.com HERE! Images of new artworks are added weekly.

How Does it Work?

This annual event features 600+ works of original fine art donated by Art League and Torpedo Factory artists, and the number of tickets sold matches the number of works donated. The Show opens for in-person viewing in The Art League Gallery approximately two weeks before the drawing. Ticketholders fill the Gallery during these weeks, studying the artwork and ranking their favorite pieces in our custom app, Art Thief, so they receive their favorite piece of available artwork when their turn arrives. You never know when your turn will be, so it’s best to create a long list of choices!!

The event will be broadcast online, so ticketholders may tune in virtually to the live drawing!

Ticketholders may use the two weeks of the exhibit to study the artwork, take note of your favorite pieces, and then prepare and ‘pre-submit’ a list of your top 70 or more choices. Your list will be entered under your name into the drawing, so when you’re called your #1 favorite artwork that’s still available will be YOURS. Don’t worry; you may resubmit and edit your list right up until the drawing starts! See more on this below…

Q. How do I choose my artwork? What does ‘pre-submit’ mean?

A. Your artwork choice will automatically be pulled from your last submitted artwork list when your name is entered. The artwork choice paired with the ticketholder’s name will be the ticketholder’s submitted top choice from the remaining artwork on their list. The Show database selects your top artwork from your list when your name is called. The artwork is your top choice from the available artwork, and this artwork will appear on the announcer screen with your name.

We strongly encourage everyone to submit their artwork lists as early as possible. However, ticket holders may continue to update and ‘reorder’ their artwork lists online through the ticketholder’s artwork list portal until 12:30 p.m. on the day of the drawing.

On the day of the Patrons’ Show Fundraiser drawing (Sunday, February 16, 2024, starting at 2:30 pm), viewers may tune into the livecast of the drawing. Ticket numbers are selected at random, and when the name of each ticketholder is announced, they may select a work of art from the Show.

As always, our intrepid and entertaining MC will introduce the show and announce ticketholder names as we’ve done in the past years. When your ticket is called, your name AND your pre-chosen artwork selection will appear on the live stream.

For 2025, the Show opens for online and in-person viewing in The Art League’s gallery three weeks before the drawing. Artwork listings are updated as late donations become available.

Patrons’ Show Fundraiser Tickets: $245

Each ticket entitles the holder to one piece of artwork, and exclusive access to our after-auction. Tickets are non-refundable.

BUYING YOUR PATRONS’ SHOW TICKETS – FAQ

Q: When do tickets go on sale?

A: Tickets are on sale now.

Q: Where can I buy tickets?

A: RIGHT HERE! On Eventbrite. Tickets are only sold online.

Q: How many tickets can I purchase?

A: There is no limit on the number of Patrons’ Show Fundraiser tickets you may purchase. The maximum number of artworks per Patrons’ Show Fundraiser ticket purchased is one (1).

Q: Why is there a transaction fee?

A: Eventbrite charges a transaction fee for all purchases made through their site. The transaction fee (3.7% + $1.79 per sold ticket) is actually less than the Virginia state tax, which is 6%. By using Eventbrite, our ticketholders can save $1.01 per ticket purchase.

Q: I want a refund. How can I do that?

A: Tickets are non-refundable. If you have a scheduling conflict, note that you can still participate in the event and receive artwork without tuning into the livecast.

Q: I’m from out-of-town, but this sounds fun—can I participate?

A: Absolutely! We are happy to ship your ‘won’ artwork through our gallery. When buying a ticket, you can select “shipping” as your pickup method. You can also email us at [email protected] . Note: there will be an extra shipping charge that will be determined by the size/weight of your artwork. The Art League will pass along that cost to you, but we won’t charge you an additional fee for making arrangements with the shipper. It is possible to estimate shipping costs online, so it may make sense to do a little research ahead of time so you know what to expect, cost-wise.

Q: When is the actual drawing?

A: The Patrons’ Show Fundraiser drawing is on SUNDAY, February 16, at 2:30 pm. You can tune into the live stream to view the drawing and see your name called & your won artwork(s).

Q: How long does the drawing take?

A: The 2025 Patrons’ Show Fundraiser drawing will start at 2:30 pm with three rounds of “name-calling” planned. If your name is called in the first round, you’ll be done around 3:15 pm; if your name is called in the second round, you’ll be done around 4:30 pm; if you are called in the last round, you’ll be finished around 5:30 pm.

Q: I hear that there’s an app for the Patrons’ Show. What is Art Thief?

[Please note that the app will not begin updating new works until late December]

A. Yes, we have an app for your iPhone or iPad specifically designed for the Patrons’ Show called Art Thief. Art Thief helps you review and manage the hundreds of artworks available. Plus, it makes the event and the planning for it more fun. With Art Thief, you can download and rate this year’s artwork and put it into a list based on your preference. During the show, Art Thief tracks which artworks have been taken so that you know which piece is still available as your top choice! All sorts of bonus features help you share the art on social media and vote for your favorite piece. Download Art Thief here Thanks, Steve!

Here’s a video overview of version 6.3 of Art Thief covering the new features and what first timers need to know.

Q. I have my ticket and want to start my artwork favorites list; how do I organize and submit it?

A. To manage your list of favorites, use the Art Thief app. Art Thief helps you review and rank the hundreds of artworks available and submit it into our system for the drawing. Apple iOS version: Download Art Thief here

[Please note that the app will not begin updating new works until late December]

Thanks to the amazing work of Joseph Rock, there’s also an Android version of Art Thief that has essentially all the same features and UI as the iOS version. It’s just launched and is available for download on the Play Store now: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.joerock.artthief

Important Note: In order to submit your final artwork list for the drawing, you will need a “codename.” The “code name” for submitting your list via Art Thief will be sent to you via email in February. Typically, once Patrons’ Show tickets are close to SOLD OUT, we generate and send the individual codes in a bulk email to the ticket holders.

If you are not using the Art Thief app, or prefer to organize your list on the website, here is the link to that page. It will be accessible to you when your codename is assigned and sent to you.

Q: How do I contact someone if there is an issue during the drawing?

A. Call the gallery desk at 703-683-1780.

Q: If I can’t watch the whole event, how will I know if I was called and what artwork I received?

A. You will receive an email confirmation message after the drawing to let you know which artwork you have won!

Q: How and when do I retrieve my artwork?

A. You’ll be given a choice of artwork pickup days and times. You will need to have your ID and ticket with you to check out your artwork. If you need to update your pickup day or need to have your artwork shipped, please contact us at [email protected]. If your artwork weighs more than 40 lbs or is oversized, you will need to come into the gallery and make arrangements for pickup and loading help.

Q: Can I get a tax letter if all my selected artworks are chosen?

A. Yes! You’re welcome to email us at [email protected].