AAN hosts wet paint auction this Sunday
BY MARY LANCASTER INDEPENDENT WRITER

FILE PHOTO ROB BENCHLEY Bobby Frazier hanging a show at the Artists' Association.

You will not find more recent paintings by the island's talented artists than what is going up for bid at the Wet Paint Auction this Sunday at the American Legion Hall.

Sponsored by the Artists Association of Nantucket, the October 12 event begins with a preview at 4 p.m. and the auction starts at 5 p.m. Auctioneer Rafhael Osona will lead the lively fundraiser as he has for at least 10 years.

"He's got the same pair of rubber gloves he has worn for a decade," said AAN gallery director Bobby Frazier. "I start lifting [the paintings] up and we start the bidding."

The auction began in the mid-1990s with the Nantucket Arts Alliance, which merged with the Nantucket Arts Council; then the auction was taken over by the AAN to operate and collect the proceeds from sales. At first, artists had to produce their paintings on the actual day of the event, but now they are given Friday, Saturday and part of Sunday prior to the auction. Frazier said that although many submissions are completely finished and even framed, that is not a requirement.

"It's meant to have a spontaneous feel," he explained.

The AAN also posts a map in its Washington Street gallery during the three days leading to the auction indicating where some artists plan to paint or a location where several artists may be working so that people interested in subject matter and styles have an opportunity for a "work in progress" peek.

Frazier said the auction is always joyful. Last year there was a bidding war going on over a particular piece, and one of the bidding couples had their tiny daughter hold the numbered paddle for them. Each time they bid they hoisted her up and she shook the paddle with everyone in the audience clapping about her unique participation.

"It's a fun event," said Frazier. "There can be very affordable pieces to a piece that keeps being bid on."

Frazier said he anticipates 50 entries for the standing room only auction where appetizers and beverages are served. Usually, the AAN takes 35 percent of artists' work shown in its gallery and gives the artist 65 percent of the sales price. The Wet Paint Auction proceeds are split evenly, and the AAN uses its percentage to fund its workshops, maintain its buildings and supports its budget. I I