Supporters given chance to claim one-of-a-kind artwork

2016 FILE: Kym Hunsaker paints vases that will be centerpieces for the 2016 CelebARTy art auction at Capital Arts. The event is where local celebrities collaborate with local artists on a piece of work and have it sold to benefit Capital Arts.
2016 FILE: Kym Hunsaker paints vases that will be centerpieces for the 2016 CelebARTy art auction at Capital Arts. The event is where local celebrities collaborate with local artists on a piece of work and have it sold to benefit Capital Arts.

Art supporters will have a chance to claim a one-of-a-kind work created by local celebrities at the first-time Celebarty live art auction at 6 p.m. Thursday in Jefferson City at Avenue HQ, 621 Capitol Ave.

As a change up from the Capital Arts' traditional fall trivia night, this unique experience is an experiment, said Leann Porrello, executive director.

"It's an incentive to get the community more involved," Porrello said.

While raising funds for the local not-for-profit, the event also shines a light on the various professionals named as the event's celebrities, she said.

It also was an opportunity for the celebrities themselves to try something they may have never done, she said. In turn, that might inspire others in the community to give art a try.

Once the celebrity decided what he wanted to make, he could be paired with a local professional artist in that medium.

Eleven of the 19 local celebrities were paired with local professional artists to try their hand at glass jewelry and bowls, pottery, airbrush art and oil painting. The other eight selected celebrities created their own works in wood, paint and photography.

"We have some hidden artists people may not know about," Porrello said.

Tonight, guests will be able to mingle with the celebrities and view their art before the bidding starts.

To add to the artist-centered night, tables of eight will feature hand-painted centerpieces guests may take home.

A $35 ticket includes a full dinner and drinks, as well as a program book featuring each celebrity and his paired professional with a photo of the finished product.

Fundraisers like this allow Capital Arts to provide other free, community art events throughout the year, like last Saturday's chalk art.

"We hope we spark a fire to encourage more hidden artists to try new things and see where their niche is," Porrello said.