Art From Scrap’s 7th Annual Art Show and Auction

Art From Scrap, a nonprofit organization and reuse art store, is holding its 7th annual Assemblage, Collage, and Mixed-Media Art Show and Auction this Saturday, July 19. As a store that supplies low-cost, recycled materials, Art From Scrap’s yearly gathering encourages artists to use second-hand elements in their works. Fabric is this year’s featured component, meaning that each participating artist had to incorporate it into his or her submitted works. And now that the selection period is over, the pieces will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. The earnings from this fundraiser will go to benefit the shop’s many educational programs. Art From Scrap invites the community to explore creative artwork and make bids in a silent auction at its upstairs gallery, located at 302 E. Cota Street, between 5 and 8 p.m. on Saturday night. To see all of the artwork being put up for auction, visit artfromscrap.org/assemblageshow.php. And below, check out just a few reasons why this event is so special:

1) Wine and Dine: Art From Scrap is holding a free reception for any and all attendees of the auction. Along with great food, wine donated from local Santa Barbara wineries will be offered. The reception will also include a time where people can create their own festive fabric adornments, such as headbands and scarves. After creating these accessories, people can then dress up and take a part in a fun photo op with local photographer Bob DeBris. Fun, wacky, and crazy costumes are encouraged.

2) Show Your Support (Without Even Buying the Art): There is no better time than this weekend to show your support for Santa Barbara-based artists. However, if you love the pieces at the art show but are not convinced enough to buy any, there are still other alternatives for contributing to the fundraiser. Dinners, massages, bottles of wine, and artist’s studio tours will also be up for grabs at the auction.

3) For Tradition’s Sake: This weekend marks Art From Scrap’s 7th annual fundraiser of this kind. And the store’s longevity alone reminds us how important it is to continue to support the art community in Santa Barbara, as well as the arts and educational programs offered to children. AFS’s year-round activities, such as free art workshops and Green Schools (an environmental educational program) are funded in large part by the yearly fundraiser.