Marking the 20th anniversary of the event that sparked the museum’s creation, the Briscoe Western Art Museum is expanding its signature exhibition and sale with a first: a hybrid event that is as unbridled as the west.
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Featuring online and in-person celebrations, the Briscoe Western Art Museum’s Night of Artists 2021 Exhibition and Sale kicks things off with its Online Art Auction, March 13 – 27. Then a virtual annual Collectors Summit leads up to the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Night of Artists Exhibition, the conclusion of the Online Auction and Grand Live Auction on March 27. Night of Artists then continues as a public exhibition and sale March 28 – May 9 at the Briscoe.
Night of Artists includes the viewing and sale of nearly 300 new works of painting, sculpture and mixed media by over 75 of today’s leading contemporary Western artists. To celebrate the 20th anniversary, the Briscoe is welcoming virtual audiences via livestream to the centerpiece of the annual event, the live auction, being held in-person at the museum’s Jack Guenther Pavilion on the banks of the famed San Antonio River Walk.
This year’s hybrid celebration sprang from the museum’s quick action during 2020’s COVID closure. “When COVID forced the 2020 in-person event to be cancelled, in less than two weeks, the Briscoe successfully shifted the Night of Artists sale online, thanks to the support of amazing sponsors, artists, and collectors we were so fortunate to work with,” explained Michael Duchemin, President and CEO of the Briscoe Western Art Museum.
“Celebrating our 20th anniversary with a series of hybrid events provides a larger platform to showcase the beauty and impact of the rich stories shared through Western art. The continued support of sponsors, art collectors and enthusiasts is key to growing and preserving the unique genre of Western Art. We’re honored that such a fantastic roster of artists is joining this year’s celebration. Their stellar works, shared with an even larger audience, will make this 20th anniversary one to remember.”
There are multiple ways to participate in this year’s hybrid celebration. Bid registration in the Online Art Auction and the Grand Live Auction is free, allowing art enthusiasts to enjoy bidding and livestream the Night of Artists 20th Anniversary Grand Live Auction. A premium registration option includes the 2021 commemorative catalog and access to an exclusive Virtual Gallery Tour.
Events include:
Online Art Auction
In lieu of the event’s traditional “Luck of the Draw” Art Sale, this special edition of Night of Artists presents an Online Art Auction. Competitive bidding begins Saturday, March 13 and is open to all registered bidders, ticket holders and sponsors. Starting prices are set by the artist and bidding increments will be featured on the sale website. The Online Art Auction concludes in the midst of the opening celebration, March 27.
Night of Artists 20th Anniversary Exhibition Opening Celebration and Grand Live Auction
The centerpiece of this year’s celebration unfolds March 27, with options to participate either in-person or virtually. The in-person event features a safe, socially distanced, limited attendance evening at the Briscoe. The “Home on the Range” virtual ticket offer a private evening featuring an exclusive virtual gallery tour, a commemorative catalog, a celebration charcuterie box for two, a branded Briscoe keepsake cutting board, two event favors and access to preview events, including the Fourth Annual Collectors Summit presented by the Briscoe Bison Society and the Online Art Auction.
All ticket options feature participation in the Grand Live Auction conducted by nationally recognized auctioneer Troy Black. The auction will occur both inside the Jack Guenther Pavilion and outdoors in the museum’s McNutt Sculpture Garden and be livestreamed for the online participants to enjoy. Thirty new works are available in the live auction, as well as two works donated by an artist and collector with full sale proceeds to benefit the Briscoe. The Grand Live Auction includes in-person bidding, as well as online, phone, mobile app and absentee bidding.
Fixed-Price Sale
The final option to stake your claim and snap up a piece of this year’s Night of Artists excitement is the Fixed-Price Sale. Opening March 28, the sale features works not previously sold through the Online or Grand Live Auction. Available at a fixed price set by the artist, these limited remaining works may be purchased through the public sale. Anyone can participate in the sale online or enjoy the exhibition in-person at the Briscoe and purchase works by visiting the Museum Store.
Annual Collectors Summit A Virtual Opportunity to Explore Collecting
A key aspect of Night of Artists is the opportunity to gather, learn and foster greater understanding and appreciation of Western Art. The Briscoe Bison Society presents the Fourth Annual Briscoe Bison Society Collectors Summit, a platform for experts on Western Art to share their insights during virtual conversations exploring the Western art market and trends. Everyone from novice to seasoned art collectors and enthusiasts will enjoy these virtual, limited attendance sessions. The virtual symposium is free for Night of Artists ticketholders and members of the museum, though space is limited and must be reserved.
For more details, please visit briscoemuseum.org.
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